Goring Gap Members Take on the LYR Race the Thames Challenge!

We are thrilled to announce that a few foolish members of the Goring Gap Rowing Club are participating in the LYR Race the Thames Challenge! This event, organised by London Youth Rowing (LYR), is a fantastic opportunity for our members to showcase their fitness (or lack of) while supporting a great cause.

What is the LYR Race the Thames Challenge?

The LYR Race the Thames Challenge is a virtual team-building event where participants work together to cover the distance of the River Thames, which is approximately 346km. Teams can contribute their mileage through any sport, whether it’s rowing, running, cycling, or even trampolining! The challenge runs from February 7th to February 14th, 2025, and aims to bring people together, promote physical activity, and bust the winter blues.

Why Support Our Members?

Our Goring Gap members are not only taking on this challenge to stay active and engaged but also to raise funds for LYR. London Youth Rowing helps over 5,000 young people each year to develop key life skills through rowing and other water sports. Their programs focus on teamwork, problem-solving, leadership, and staying positive, making a significant impact on the lives of young people from diverse backgrounds.

How Can You Help?

We are seeking sponsorship to support our members in this endeavour. Your contributions will help cover the costs of participation and support LYR’s mission to empower young people. Every donation, big or small, makes a difference!

please visit this link to donate to the GGBC page…

Visit Raising Funds for Mental Health and Youth Empowerment to donate.

GivenGain

GivenGain enables non-profits to boost their fundraising income with tools that empower their supporters to fundraise on their behalf.

www.givengain.com

Race the Thames | Virtual Online Arena

We’re taking over Race The Thames! 50 teams from around the UK are going to bust the winter blues together, starting on the 7th Feb until the 14th Feb. ‍ A brilliant week of endeavour, competition and camaraderie is on its way. Bring it on!

www.racethethames.com

Learn 2 Row 2025

The Learn 2 Row courses have now been published on the website for 2025 https://goringgapbc.org.uk/l2r/, so if you are a member of GGBC, please encourage friends and family to join these comprehensive courses with learning on the land, in a simulated environment and also in a boat on the river.

Learn 2 Row courses are now the only way to join the club if you are a beginner, but if you have experience and want to get back on the water, then we are always looking for new members.

Once you have completed the course, you will be invited to join the club for, a very reasonable, annual membership. There are regular days that you can row throughout the week and throughout the year depending on weather conditions. Rowers are very friendly at this club if you are thinking of joining to grow your social group, with regular outings during the year, social meet-ups and a big Christmas party.

Provisional 2025 dates are as follows:

Spring Course: Saturday 26 April, Saturday 3, 10, 17 May and Wednesday 7 May

Summer Course: Saturday 5, 12, 19, 26 July and Wednesday 16 July

Autumn Course: Saturday 13, 20, 27 September and 4 October and Wednesday 24 September

There are 16 places on each course. Make full payment to confirm your place. Courses usually run over four weeks. The L2R course price for 2025 is £165 per participant.

Anyone interested in joining a course should contact l2r@goringgapbc.org.uk where you will be given a warm welcome by Stuart Cowen!

The Santa Row: A Festive Success!

The Santa Row on Saturday, 21st December, was a brilliant way to celebrate the festive season with the GGBC community! With scratch crews drawn from a hat, the short races were full of friendly competition, laughter, and a touch of chaos – exactly what we hoped for. The CS Boats served us well as we dashed across the water in style.

Many participants embraced the holiday spirit with festive clothing, from Santa hats to tinsel-trimmed outfits, adding to the cheerful atmosphere. For those who didn’t row, it was a perfect opportunity to catch up with friends and soak in the festive vibes.

A massive shout-out goes to GGBC’s Juniors, who did an incredible job running the catering. Their efforts were not only delicious but also a great success, raising £179 towards purchasing a new megaphone for the club. The bacon and egg rolls, mulled wine, tea, coffee, cakes, and mince pies were all a hit – thank you to everyone who donated so generously.

It was a heartwarming event filled with fun, food, and festive cheer, and it reminded us why the GGBC community is so special. Here’s to more brilliant moments in the new year!

Having Fun at The GGBC Christmas Party!

A Festive Evening to Remember

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A huge thank you to Christine Bates and Ros Crowder for organising the fabulous GGBC Christmas Party on Friday 13th December, at the stunning Goring and Streatley Golf Club. The evening was nothing short of magical, with so many of you joining us to celebrate the season together.

The venue looked truly enchanting, decked out in its festive best, setting the perfect scene for a night of joy and laughter. We were treated to a delicious two course meal that left everyone impressed, and the atmosphere was electric thanks to Dino’s rock band. They had the dance floor buzzing all evening – it’s safe to say we all danced the night away!

What made the night even more special was the generosity of everyone who attended. We raised nearly £500, which will be shared between the amazing charity Sport in Mind and GGBC initiatives.

Thank you to everyone who came along, contributed, and made this party such a success. It was a heartwarming way to close out the year, and we can’t wait to see you all in the new year for more fantastic GGBC events!