Scope and Aims
The Weekday Ladies’ Squad was started in 2001, with a small but keen group of scullers, to encourage greater use of the club’s facilities at off-peak times. It has since grown into a lively squad of about 45 members, ranging from novices to those competing in national events.
The aim of the squad is to enable its members to combine an enjoyment of sculling, whether for recreation or competition, with the demands of family life. There is a strong social element to the sessions and members actively support other sections of the club, particularly the juniors. Many members of the squad are themselves qualified coaches.
Coaching and Training
There are three coached water sessions per week, all starting at 9.30am. Wednesday is a general session, open to all abilities, and the Thursday session has an emphasis on novice and recreational scullers, whilst the Friday session is for members of a standard to complete timed pieces in single sculls. It is from this last group that our racing crews are drawn. Crews training to race will often organise additional training.
The group has an ergo/circuit session in the club gym on Monday mornings and training schedules are available for those wishing to race.
All sessions take place during school term-time only, however members are free to use the club facilities independently on weekdays during the holidays.
Races
The squad aims to enter one or two events each term, and generally focus on veteran events. In the last year crews have raced in the Women’s and Veterans’ Head of the River races – reflecting the sweep rowing background of many of our members – as well as the National Veteran Championships, Henley Veterans Regatta, the Veteran Fours Head and the Scullers Head.
Joining
This is a popular group, and a waiting list is currently in operation. To register, or for further information, e-mail weekdayladies@tidewayscullers.com