Guest column: Why Doncaster should love its rowing club

But humble Hexthorpe is home to our very own rowing club, providing opportunities for young and old, recreational and competitive alike.

Indeed, recent unprecedented events have shown Doncaster Rowing Club to be innovative leaders when it comes to keeping active during lockdown.

Just before restrictions took effect, club captain Carol McGlone arranged for the staggered collection of rowing machines from the boathouse by those members lucky enough to have space to store them.

Any thoughts of the machines gathering dust and club members becoming isolated from each other were soon dispelled.

Chair Phil Haigh has arranged two club ‘virtual regattas’, contested by over 25 club members. A simple but clever handicap system was used so that any competitor was in with a decent chance of progressing.

If evidence of this was needed, our first winner was 13-year-old Nic Batchelor and second time around the honours went to the redoubtable Dilys Noble.

More established rowing clubs have been picking our brains about how the events were put together and even British Rowing featured us in their indoor rowing updates.

If that wasn’t enough, we’ve also been involved in the Concept 2 Spring 8 series. As a club we are indebted to Paul Batchelor who coordinated our efforts and produced three crews of eight.

Our two men’s crews and one women’s crew completed a series of set distances on their rowing machines throughout May. All crews performed creditably with some great times recorded. Particularly pleasing was that several Concept 2 owners from Doncaster, while not being club members, joined us in our endeavours and were welcomed by all.

Perhaps best of all, though, has been the performance and dedication of Caroline Buckle, competing in the adaptive categories. Caroline is part of our Monday morning Go Row Indoor group and is living proof that our club is open to all.

Hopefully as lockdown eases Caroline will be able to extend her skills to water based activities in one of our adaptive boats.

Our ethos is very much about what can be done, rather than dwelling on any limitations.

As we gradually return to normality, we have thankfully been able to get back on the water.

This has been carefully managed and always within government and British Rowing guidelines. Safety is always paramount in our sport, now more than ever.

And it seems that during recent challenging times more of us than ever are looking for new ways to keep fit, active, healthy and to enjoy fresh air and good company.

Why not give rowing a go? We’re ready to welcome anyone to our club, whatever your fitness levels.

Find us at www.doncasterrowingclub.com to find out more.

Rick Rolt is Doncaster Rowing Club’s men’s captain and Go Row Indoor coordinator/coach.

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