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We kicked off 2025 with our first-ever winter indoor sessions at the London Aquatics Centre. Our partners, Everyone Active generously let us store 10 Concept2 rowing machines on the mezzanine, giving our squad of young rowers an inspiring view of the 2012Olympic swimming and diving pools. In contrast to the January weather outside, the warm aquatics centre was perfect for Monday-night workouts through the dark months.

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Sessions blended games, circuits, technical drills, and tough efforts, culminating in several members competing at the NJIRC Virtual. February half-term brought strong currents on the Waterworks River, so we launched in the stable 10-person bellboat to explore the north end of the Olympic Park. As evenings lengthened, we shifted our Monday water sessions to smaller craft, progressing from bellboats and fixed-seat rowing, and soon returning to racing kayaks and SUPs.

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Group numbers fluctuated week-to-week - exams kept a few juniors away - but progress continued. A highlight was members tackling their first kayak race of the year at the Chelmsford City Sprint Regatta. We closed the on-water season in Chelmsford with the 2- and 4-mile races. Two paddlers claimed 1st and 3rd-place trophies, which were presented by the reigning Men’s European Canoe Marathon Champion.

With darkness returning, we’re now back indoors at the Aquatics Centre on the ergs, after a jog around the OlympicPark for warm-up that is. The crew is sharpening technique, playing games, and building toward NJIRC 2026.

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Coach Marija began her Paddlesport Coach qualification mid-year, allowing us to support faster progression and more ability-based subgroups in the future.

So, with that increased coaching capacity, LYR is now welcoming more young people to join our free after-school sessions. If you have an interested young person aged 11-18 then please let us know via qeop.operations@londonyouthrowing.com

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