Rowing at KAA
Five years ago, donations to the Intrepidus Trust funded the establishment of a six-week Learn to Row programme and a rowing squad, both delivered in partnership with Fulham Reach Boat Club. Our rowing programmes are getting stronger each year, with some incredible group and individual successes to celebrate.
In Learn to Row, the whole of Year 10 (204 students) participated in a six-week course, including a minimum of four sessions on the water and up to two land sessions. We have had great feedback from participants, who reflected on the soft skills they'd developed and were appreciative of the opportunity to experience rowing and river life.
The squad has continued to provide an opportunity for the most committed and talented rowers at the school to further develop their rowing practice and gain experience in competitive rowing. 15 students from Years 10 to 13 regularly attended early morning sessions on the water at Fulham Reach Boat Club as well as weekly land sessions
Opportunities for competition included the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships in which they performed strongly. In addition, boats were sent out at local regattas and friendly races took place against Chiswick School and Kew House School. They were impressive throughout both in terms of skill and stamina and won all of their races.
Individual successes include Tashi Spence (who previously bagged a bronze at Dorney Lake and took part in the U19 GB trials). Tashi has been accepted on to the boat club at UCL where she is now studying archaelogy. Two of our other squad members have received bursaries to become members of Fulham Reach Boat Club which means that they also row on weekends and benefit from additional coaching.
With donations from private donors we are meeting the costs of growing the programme this year - this has included the appointment of an experienced rowing coach, doubling the water and land sessions being delivered, and more races and regattas in the pipeline.
The squad are off to Avon Autumn Head on 18th November - we'll be sure to report back on their efforts!