Welcome to GGBC

The Goring Gap Boat Club is one of the largest recreational boating clubs in the Thames valley.

Membership is open to all, from youngsters gaining their first rowing experience to veterans with a life time on the river. Beginners are assured of a warm welcome, and a relaxed and safe introduction to the sport. No previous experience is required, and we provide tuition to all our new members.

The clubs' aims are simple - "...to make it possible for members to enjoy un-powered boating....". Over the years it's estimated that 1500 rowers have taken to the water under the guidance of GGBC, many of them competing in the ever popular Goring and Streatley Regatta.

The centrepiece of the club's activity is the annual Goring and Streatley Regatta, which combines fun racing (for all the family) with live entertainment, a fun fair, food, craft fairs and much more. It's a 'not to be missed' event with some 600 rowers competing and a crowd of over 5000 people. A great atmosphere for competing and a superb day out for all the family.

Make a note in your diary now - Saturday 18^th July 2009

Created by Ewoud Dronkert

With the increased interest in rowing as both a leisure pursuit and a competitive sport GGBC has made strides towards providing some great facilities. Recent arrivals have been a superb coaching / safety launch, 4 brand new sculls, and a double gig. We've also purchased the less exotic items....cox box, blades etc that make everyone's rowing a better experience. See the Rowing page.

All are welcome to come along and try their hand at rowing .... it's great to be out on the river keeping fit, meeting new friends and enjoying the wonderful scenery. See the Membership page for full details.

If rowing sounds too much like hard work give the punts a go....

The club is currently based at the Oratory School boathouse in Whitchurch on Thames, and also has facilities for punting at the Swan hotel in Streatley (ideal for a leisurely picnic with friends). We have a large range of boats available from single sculls to eights, the majority of our rowing being in stable fours and quad boats - ideal for getting to grips with the basics before moving on to the finer shells.

Click Map for directions

Fully Booked - Spring 09
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Fully Booked - May 09
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Fully Booked - Feb 09
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The Teambuilding Activity
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News News Archive 2009 News Archive 2008 News Archive 2007 News Archive 2006
Regatta Entries Open Now's the time to get your friends and colleagues together to form a winning crew at this years Goring & Streatley regatta. Entries available in restricted fours (men's , women's and mixed), single sculls, and dongolas.... Click here for full details and online entry

Mount St Joseph's compete at HWR - after last weeks impressive win at Reading the GGBC boats went to Henley to meet the very best women rowers. After gruelling qualifiers both crews made it to the main event....but came up against some top UK crews. None the less they put up a great fight and came a close second. The Mount crew pushing hard Nearing the finish...still very close	Side by side at Temple Island The winning crew at Reading looking strong The Mount St Joseph's 8+ crew winning the first round

Regatta Training starts - just four more weeks of training to go.....a few of the crews are obviously keen to get in that vital early session to hone their rowing skills! The standards are variable, the main thing is that everyone has a great time learning...ready for the big day. Our restricted fours are ideal for getting to grips with the basics.....a stable platform from which to build on technique and confidence. If you haven't already entered a crew there are still a few places left....but don't delay we have a strict 50 crews limit this year. If you're desperate to row but don't have a crew then please drop us a line....we know of several potential winning crews in need of a rower.

GGBC boat wins at Reading Amateur Regatta! - The new GGBC fours have been sought out by a top USA school to use during their trip to the UK. The warm-up regatta was Reading Amateur....and on Sunday the girls took first place in a field of 18 crews! A superb performance over the gruelling 1100m course against some of the best crews in the country. Given that they had only set eyes on the GGBC boats the day before these top US athletes adapted superbly....winning the final by a convincing length over Manchester University. The winner crew in the WInt3 coxed fours Next stop is the Henley Women's regatta - the very best crews from around the world competing for top honours. A week of training and getting fully used to the boats and conditions .... qualifying on Friday and racing Saturday and Sunday. We wish the girls every success - 'Go Mount Go'	The Mount St Joseph's girl's on their way to victory in 'One Four All' The second crew looking ready strong as they push for home in 'All Four One'

Regatta Training starts Monday 15th June - we need lots of coxes...so if you have a hidden talent don't hide it please let us know ASAP!	Thursday Club Sessions - Due to the demands of training 50 beginners crews the Thursday club sessions are cancelled for the next 4 weeks...

Learn2Scullers make the grade - in just 6 short sessions our L2S participants have progressed from extremely nervous to fully confident scullers...... despite a few duckings on the way! Confidence and good technique are vital....our group are fully conversant with the 'rigger dips', 'circles' and 'slaps' exercises - all of which proved invaluable. The progression from quads to doubles and final singles proved a winning formula with each step giving our rowers extra confidence without being rushed. The final session included some competitive elements - the famous 'erging relay' was won by team A by less than a second. After this warm-up it was out on the river in the quads for the minimum strokes over a distance exercise and a head to head race....both tasks completed without incident.	Finally there was a doubles and singles challenge - extreme rigger dips etc - obviously won by Pete who managed to get both riggers submerged at the same time! The highlight of the day was the awarding of the much deserved Learn2Scull mugs.... Sculling is a great activity - the freedom to row alone, the challenge of staying up right and the closeness to nature (intimate knowledge of the riverside trees!). If you're interested in a future course drop us a line - be warned they are very popular.

Learn2Scull starts with a Splash! - the 8 lucky L2S participants spent an evening swimming and capsizing.... All passed with flying colours. Some were naturals at the capsizing bit! All can now capsize, right and get back to the bank safely....some can even stand on one leg and perform rigger dips.... They even took the buddy rescue to new levels.....as can be seen in the photo. Even a completely submerged scull provides adequate buoyancy for three people. Many thanks to Kirsty, Sarah and Stu for helping out.	Buddy Rescue.....

Sponsored Row 2009 - Full details now online. Your chance to complete a marathon row and raise cash for a worthy charity.... Click here to find out more.	www.JustGiving.com/SponsoredRow09

Safety Notice Board - the observant will have noticed that there is a new safety notice board on the inside of the dry boathouse door. Please take some time to look over the information....it could save someone's life. This is part of the new Row Safe recommendations.... All new and temporary member will now receive a short induction before taking to the water. Do you know where the first aid kit and throw line are kept?....if not then you'd better find out. There is also an outing notice board on the wet boat house wall.... whenever you venture out on the river remember to log your outing and expect time of return. For more information on the GGBC safety policy refer to the membership handbook, and the safety links on the membership page. Safety is basically common sense.... please don't ignore it.