Rowing Club

Introduction & club history

Heriot-Watt University Boat Club is a highly competitive Scottish rowing club.

Having begun with just a cox box and a life jacket, the past members of the club are a credit to both HWUBC and the University. We are now the proud owners of 12 boats, 3 cox boxes and plenty life jackets to go round! This is solely down to the hard work of the members and the support we have received from the University and the Sports Union.

We are proud winners of the Burgh Varsity Rowing shield for 3 years running  and have also held the Scottish Indoors University Champion title for the last 4 years.

We pride ourselves on hard work and commitment to the club and travel as far as London to row in highly competitive races.

Our fresher troop is incredibly important to us in order for the club to continue to grow and produce excellent results, our freshers and older club members get the benefit of the best coaches and facilities in Scotland and this is reflected in the excellent results the club achieves.

What does a typical season involve?

Training times:

  • Monday, 5.15pm: circuits, Sports Hall 2
  • Tuesday, 4.15/5.15pm: ergo training, Sports Centre
  • Wednesday, 1.15pm: water session, pick-up from CSE reception
  • Thursday, 4.15pm/5.15pm/6.15pm: ergo training Sports Centre
  • Friday: individual training/rest day
  • Saturday/Sunday, 7.00am: water sessions, pick-up from CSE reception

During the winter months our training is concentrated on aerobic fitness.

We usually aim to race 3 head races in semester 1 of the year (these are 3-5km races usually completed in crews of 4). Semester 2 sees our transition from head races to regatta season and so the training will become more specific to shorter races. Summer racing involves much shorter distances (1-2km) and can involve smaller boats for the more experienced crews.

 We both host and compete at the Scottish Indoor Rowing Championships in January/February every year, an event which the club runs and organises for Scottish Rowing.

How do I join the club?

A membership fee of £70 is payable to the CSE reception or online (excluding gym membership) provided you are a current member fo the CSE. This includes use of all our training facilities, coaching and transportation to and from training grounds.