The first day of Henley Royal Regatta on Tuesday 1 July 2025, unfolded in a blaze of sunshine, spectacle, and style—and Goring Gap Boat Club’s spectators were right at the heart of it. Sporting their distinctive cream blazers with blue and terracotta trim, they brought a refined flair to the riverbank. Among the champagne flutes and the flutter of straw hats, GGBC stood out—not just for their enthusiasm, but for their elegance. From the Stewards’ Enclosure to the towpath, the club’s colours were worn with pride, perfectly capturing the spirit of Henley: timeless tradition, spirited support, and impeccable style. Well done!
On Sunday 13 April 2025, Goring Gap Boat Club proudly hosted The Goring Lap — a scenic and spirited 3.2km race in Charles Stanley Touring Boats. Nestled between the Chiltern Hills, the club’s stretch of the River Thames offered a breathtaking backdrop for the event, with early spring sunshine sparkling on the water and nature in full bloom.
The event was made possible thanks to a dedicated team of volunteers who turned out in full force. From timekeepers and marshals to cake bakers and chefs to launch drivers, (with Captain onboard), their cheerful presence brought the day to life and ensured everything ran smoothly. The buzz around the boathouse, with boats launching and visiting crews gathering on the riverbank, created a wonderful community atmosphere.
With its perfect mix of friendly competition, beautiful surroundings, and club spirit, The Goring Lap was a great success – and a fitting showcase of everything Goring Gap Boat Club stands for.
It’s about sharing this stretch of river with people who love it as much as we do.
As the river levels fluctuated and the frost settled, our dedicated rowers kept their fitness up with winter land training at Goring Gap Boat Club. Every Tuesday and Thursday, we swapped the water for circuits and erging sessions, pushing through the colder months with determination and team spirit.
A huge thank you to Richard Berkley and Stuart Cowen for their time, effort, and encouragement throughout the season. Their coaching and commitment have kept us all motivated, helping us build strength and stamina ready for the return to the water, and we even managed a couple of 2k timed rows!
Here’s to warmer days ahead – and to putting all that winter training to good use on the river!
What an incredible effort from our team in this year’s Race The Thames challenge! A huge well done to Annie Cowen, Stuart Cowen, Nadya Larsen, Andy McKenzie, Nick Mills, Simon Peacock, Peter Strutt, and Nick White for their dedication, teamwork, and determination.
Over the course of the event, they rowed, cycled, and ran countless miles—whether on the water, in the gym, or at home—to raise an amazing £760 in support of Mental Health & Youth Empowerment and the Race The Thames charity. Their hard work will help make a real difference, supporting young people and promoting mental well-being through sport.
This challenge wasn’t just about fundraising—it was also a fantastic way to bring our rowing community together, strengthen team spirit, and push personal limits. Whether it was early morning training, late-night sessions, or simply cheering each other on, every effort counted towards this fantastic achievement.
A massive thank you to everyone who donated, encouraged, and supported the team throughout. Your generosity and enthusiasm helped make this event a real success.
Let’s keep the momentum going—who’s up for next year’s 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…
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!
