Monmouth Rowing Club
Encyclopedia
Monmouth Rowing Club is located on the banks of the River Wye
in Monmouth
, the county town
of the historic county of Monmouthshire
. The club is affiliated with the Welsh Amateur Rowing Association
(WARA) and hosts several annually organised race events.
and Ross-on-Wye
. The boathouse is sited on the western bank of the river. All rowing activities take place upstream of the 17th-century Wye Bridge and during the summer are limited to the 2.25 km stretch of river between Monmouth and Hadnock. During times of higher river levels, typically over the winter months, it is possible to row 9 km upstream to the Symonds Yat
rapids.
Monmouth School
boathouse stands on the opposite bank to the town club
The clubhouse, gym and changing rooms attached to the boathouse were extended and renovated in 1995. The new facilities were officially opened by Sir Steve Redgrave.
Currently, the Monmouth Rowing Club boathouse also plays host to boats and equipment from Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
Rowing Club (founded 1990) and Monmouth Comprehensive School Boat Club (founded 1992).
has been held on the Sunday of the Spring Bank Holiday in late May with crews racing side by side over a straight 1500m course (seniors) or 1000m (veterans and juniors). In recent years a sprint regatta held over 750m has been added to the programme on the Saturday of the same weekend. Whilst multi-lane regattas, held on lakes and purpose built courses, have increased in popularity over recent years, Monmouth regatta still attracts a substantial number of entries (approx 400 boats) on both days, year on year.
Outside of the regatta season, Monmouth hosts two main Head of the River
races: the Autumn Head, at the end of September, and the Winter Head in mid December. These are timed, processional races typically held over 2250m, although when conditions allow the course may be lengthened to approximately 5000m.
River Wye
The River Wye is the fifth-longest river in the UK and for parts of its length forms part of the border between England and Wales. It is important for nature conservation and recreation.-Description:...
in Monmouth
Monmouth
Monmouth is a town in southeast Wales and traditional county town of the historic county of Monmouthshire. It is situated close to the border with England, where the River Monnow meets the River Wye with bridges over both....
, the county town
County town
A county town is a county's administrative centre in the United Kingdom or Ireland. County towns are usually the location of administrative or judicial functions, or established over time as the de facto main town of a county. The concept of a county town eventually became detached from its...
of the historic county of Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire
Monmouthshire is a county in south east Wales. The name derives from the historic county of Monmouthshire which covered a much larger area. The largest town is Abergavenny. There are many castles in Monmouthshire .-Historic county:...
. The club is affiliated with the Welsh Amateur Rowing Association
Welsh Amateur Rowing Association
Welsh Rowing is the governing body for the sport of rowing in Wales. It is responsible for promoting the sport in Wales and for the organisation of all national rowing competitions held in Wales, including the 'Head of the Taff' and the Welsh Open Rowing Championships...
(WARA) and hosts several annually organised race events.
Location
Monmouth is the furthest south of the three rowing clubs on the River Wye; the remaining two being at HerefordHereford
Hereford is a cathedral city, civil parish and county town of Herefordshire, England. It lies on the River Wye, approximately east of the border with Wales, southwest of Worcester, and northwest of Gloucester...
and Ross-on-Wye
Ross-on-Wye
Ross-on-Wye is a small market town with a population of 10,089 in southeastern Herefordshire, England, located on the River Wye, and on the northern edge of the Forest of Dean.-History:...
. The boathouse is sited on the western bank of the river. All rowing activities take place upstream of the 17th-century Wye Bridge and during the summer are limited to the 2.25 km stretch of river between Monmouth and Hadnock. During times of higher river levels, typically over the winter months, it is possible to row 9 km upstream to the Symonds Yat
Symonds Yat
Symonds Yat is a village in the Forest of Dean and a popular tourist destination, straddling the River Wye and the borders of the English counties of Herefordshire and Gloucestershire, it is within a few miles of the Welsh border...
rapids.
Monmouth School
Monmouth School
Monmouth School is an HMC boys' boarding and day school in Monmouth, Monmouthshire in south east Wales. It was founded in 1614 by William Jones. It is run as a trust, the William Jones's Schools Foundation, by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers, one of the Livery Companies...
boathouse stands on the opposite bank to the town club
History
The club was thought to have been founded in 1929 prior to the recent uncovering of documents that indicate a date in mid 1928. Originally, the club leased an existing warehouse to act as a boathouse until the mid-1960s when the current building was erected.The clubhouse, gym and changing rooms attached to the boathouse were extended and renovated in 1995. The new facilities were officially opened by Sir Steve Redgrave.
Currently, the Monmouth Rowing Club boathouse also plays host to boats and equipment from Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls
Haberdashers' Monmouth School for Girls is an independent school in Monmouth, Wales. The school was established by the Worshipful Company of Haberdashers in 1892, and continues to enjoy their support. There are four houses - Imbert Terry , Mather Jackson , Bagnall Oakely , and Prosser...
Rowing Club (founded 1990) and Monmouth Comprehensive School Boat Club (founded 1992).
Racing at Monmouth
Traditionally, Monmouth summer regattaRegatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
has been held on the Sunday of the Spring Bank Holiday in late May with crews racing side by side over a straight 1500m course (seniors) or 1000m (veterans and juniors). In recent years a sprint regatta held over 750m has been added to the programme on the Saturday of the same weekend. Whilst multi-lane regattas, held on lakes and purpose built courses, have increased in popularity over recent years, Monmouth regatta still attracts a substantial number of entries (approx 400 boats) on both days, year on year.
Outside of the regatta season, Monmouth hosts two main Head of the River
Head of the River
A Head of the River race is a rowing race, held as a procession race against the clock, with the winning crew receiving the title of "Head of the River"...
races: the Autumn Head, at the end of September, and the Winter Head in mid December. These are timed, processional races typically held over 2250m, although when conditions allow the course may be lengthened to approximately 5000m.