Cygnet Rowing Club

Frequently Asked Questions

Who are you?
Founded in 1890 for General Post Office non-manual male workers. The Club originally rowed at Putney on the River Thames, then moved to Hammersmith and eventually to the CSSC Boathouse when it was built early in the 1930s. At this time there were several CSSC rowing clubs including The Savings Bank, Customs & Excise and Crescent on the river Lea. After the end of the Second World War it was decided to form one rowing club from those who returned taking the name of the one that had the largest representation, Cygnet. The CSSC Boathouse had been closed during the war years for use as an emergency mortuary. Happily it was never used for this purpose.

Cygnet is the civil service rowing club, so do I have to be a civil servant to join?
Absolutely not. However if you are a civil servant you will benefit from a reduced annual subscription.

What facilities are available and what do you have to provide yourself?
Most importantly the club has a fantastic fleet of racing boats from eights to single sculls. The members, assisted by past members and fund raising, buy these. For example two pairs recently cost the club around £11,000. The club has a well-equiped gym affectionately known as "The Shed". There are large changing rooms, hot and powerful showers, a newly refurbished bar and kitchen, and a regular newsletter. There are also many social activities held in conjunction with BBLRC, our sister club. We also own a bungalow in Shepperton at which we hold regular training camps. All you have to provide is suitable rowing clothing and plenty of enthusiasm.

Check out our facilities and fleet pages for more details.

Is there a regular meeting place for members?
Members meet regularly for training and rowing at the Civil Service Boathouse. Squad training happens all-year-round on Saturday and Sunday mornings and on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. Mid-week training in the summer is all water-based and in the winter will be a mix of ergos, running, circuits and weights.

What competitions are held throughout the year?
The Club competes in open regattas (knockout side-by-side races) in the summer and heads (time-trials) in the winter. Events take place on the Thames and in the provinces. In addition we usually make an October trip to Dusseldorf to row a marathon on the Rhine, a November trip to Birmingham for the British Indoor Rowing Champs and members have been known to compete in the odd marathon or triathlon too.

Are all levels catered for?
We accept members of all ages and levels of experience from novice to elite. All we ask is that you are reasonably fit and can swim 100 metres.

Is there an annual subscription fee?
The 2008 annual subscription is 228 pounds, (160 pounds for CSSC members) which compares VERY favourably with other rowing clubs. IMPORTANT - if the sub shown here is not for the current year please contact the captain or treasurer to confirm the amount. See our contacts page.

OK I fancy having a go, what will happen when I come down?
Initially one of the captains will meet you and give you a tour of our facilities. You'll then arrange a suitable time for your first session which will be held on an ergo (gym rowing machine) and in the tank (a land-based rowing facility). This session will teach you the basic rowing technique and some of the terminology used in the boat. Your third visit will see you on the water for the first time. You'll be put into a single scull and taught the basics of sculling in a safe and friendly environment. Your work in singles will continue until you are confident, at which point you will join the squad and train alongside other novice members.

What's the Boathouse wireless broadband WEP key?
It's ecbe7345af. Happy surfing.

Who should be contacted for further information?
Men and coxes should e-mail the current Cygnet captain. See our contacts page. Women should e-mail the current Barnes Bridge Ladies captain at captain@bblrc.co.uk. Barnes Bridge are our sister club and we share the same boathouse.