Winning the Britannia Cup at Henley in 1985 prompted fundraising to build the present boathouse, helped by a National Lottery Sports Council grant. Olympic champion Sir Steven Redgrave opened the new boathouse in June 1998.
he origins of Maidenhead Rowing Club are not clear, but records of Henley Royal Regatta indicate that there was an entry from ‘The Star Club, Maidenhead’ in 1840, and as the club’s symbol is a green star, there may be some direct connection. The very first Rowing Almanack gives details of a regatta held in Maidenhead in 1860 and is known that the present club was in existence around the 1870s.
However, in 1998, with the help of lottery funding, the club moved to a large modern purpose-built clubhouse on the other side of the river in Taplow, between the A4 Bridge and Brunel's railway bridge. Crews row on the stretch between Boulter's lock and Bray lock, a distance of approximately 3000m. The move to the new larger premises in Taplow allowed the club to actively recruit new members, especially from local schools. Membership has nearly quadrupled since the move and now stands at well over 300.
Products of the club's junior rowing programme are now appearing on the senior international scene, with former junior (and later University of London student) Rob Williams winning a bronze
The club organizes two events every year, Maidenhead Junior Regatta in May and Maidenhead Regatta in early August. The Junior Regatta, brainchild of club member Piers Alington, is specifically designed for less experienced junior rowers (for many it is their first experience of racing) and is held in a special Amateur Rowing Association-sanctioned format that gives crews plenty of opportunities to compete in appropriate categories using a repechage system, so that nobody's day finishes by losing in the first round (as is the experience of so many juniors at other regattas). This event is now a firmly established favourite with other rowing clubs and schools in the region and operates at full capacity (of around 85 crews) every year.
The clubhouse boasts a splendid club room that is available for hire and has been used for many wedding receptions and parties, with the large doors and balcony providing a magnificent view of the Thames. The clubhouse is kept in good condition thanks to club 'work days' where all members are expected to lend a helping hand. It is always interesting to find out what other talents club members have – from carpentry to laying concreting, someone will know how to do it.
Maidenhead Rowing Club fully adopts and abides by the British Rowing protection and welfare policies.
Club equipment may only be used with the Captain's permission or as shown on the equipment allocation chart. After use, members must wipe down boats thoroughly and return boats and oars to their correct racks.
We are indebted to the following companies and organisations who continue to support the Club.
Maidenhead rowing club's Senior Men again prequalified for this years Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta: me
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Maidenhead Rowing Club is also part of 'Project Oarsome', a national scheme to encourage rowing clubs to work with local schools to promote the sport of rowing. There is currently a large and thriving junior squad enjoying lots of success and having a lot of fun! Junior places are very restricted. For the latest information send an email to: junior-membership @ maidenheadrc.org.uk.
