Active Row Kent

Active Row Kent officially launched in September 2024, building on smaller events and early sessions that had already begun in the area. Prior to the formal start, London Youth Rowing (LYR) delivered occasional sessions at Gravesend Rowing Club, often supported by club members. Local schools also organised small inter-club competitions with LYR’s guidance, creating a foundation of rowing activity in the region before the programme fully developed.

Our principal partner in Kent is Gravesend Rowing Club, based on the River Thames. The club has long-standing ties with local schools, making it an ideal partner for introducing students to rowing and providing on-water experiences. Working closely with the club ensures that sessions are both accessible and rooted in the local community, giving young people the opportunity to connect with a historic stretch of the river.

Throughout the academic year, LYR has delivered a wide range of events across Kent. A highlight was a friendly after-school competition between St. John’s and St. George’s, where students who had been training for several months tested their skills in a supportive environment. St. George’s later hosted a whole-school event just before Christmas, spread over several days. This created a surge of enthusiasm for weekly rowing sessions and encouraged greater participation in the National Junior Indoor Rowing Competition (NJIRC) soon after.

Another memorable occasion was the large inter-school event at St. John’s, which brought together schools from across North Kent. With all rowing machines linked to a projector, the atmosphere was electric, providing both an exciting competition for participants and a lively spectacle for supporters. The year concluded with Kent hosting a NJIRC hub at King’s School in Rochester. This event was the culmination of months of hard work from students and teachers, and it offered an unforgettable experience for everyone involved.

One of the most rewarding moments of the year was taking students onto the River Thames before the summer holidays. Many were thrilled to row on such an iconic and historic waterway, experiencing first-hand the skills they had developed indoors. For young people in Kent, particularly those from disadvantaged areas, these opportunities are invaluable. Rowing sessions not only improve fitness and teamwork but also build life skills that extend far beyond the sport. Making rowing accessible to those who might otherwise miss out has proven to be one of the most important benefits of the programme.

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