Recreational rowing at London Rowing Club is a broad and welcoming part of the Club’s Masters community, bringing together men and women of different ages, backgrounds and rowing experience. Some members have been rowing for decades; others have returned to the sport after a long break or discovered it later in life. What they share is a love of getting afloat, keeping active and enjoying the companionship that comes with being part of a crew.

For many, the pleasure begins long before the first stroke. There is the ritual of gathering at the Club, deciding on the outing and heading out onto the Thames, whether for a gentle paddle, a longer adventure or something a little more ambitious. The groups are wonderfully varied, with recreational rowing ranging from regular quads and doubles to occasional sweep crews and longer expeditions. As The London Roar has often reflected, the spirit is one of participation, friendship and the simple enjoyment of being on the water, whatever the weather or pace.

The social side is every bit as important. An outing is frequently followed by a drink and a chat. Club suppers and other social occasions further strengthen the friendships that often begin in the boat and continue well beyond it.

Recreational rowers are also enthusiastic travellers. Over the years, LRC groups have explored waterways in Venice for the Vogalonga, Berlin, Madrid, Paris and Holland. These trips combine rowing with sightseeing, shared meals and the occasional unexpected adventure. Recent London Roar accounts capture perfectly the enjoyment of rowing through the Dutch countryside, exploring unfamiliar waterways and returning year after year to Venice, where the experience is as much about friendship and social gatherings as the row itself.

That perhaps sums up recreational Masters rowing at LRC: exercise, adventure and a continuing love of the river, all made richer by the people with whom you share the boat.