Goring Gap Boat Club (GGBC) is one of the largest recreational rowing clubs in the Thames Valley based at Lower Basildon. We built and moved to our new boathouse in 2018 and although it is in full use there is plenty more to do. You can see our journey here. Membership is open to all, from all ages gaining their first rowing experience, those returning to rowing after years away, to veterans with a lifetime on the river.
The club’s aims are simple: “to make it possible for members to enjoy unpowered boating”. To that end we have regular sessions throughout the week and weekends. Experienced rowers can be assessed and then take out boats outside of these session times throughout the year.
Beginners are assured of a warm welcome, and a relaxed and safe introduction to the sport through our Learn 2 Row courses.
If you have previous experience but are a bit rusty then you could just join and have a few gentle outings to get you back in the swing of it.
We are a club run by and for its members on a volunteer basis. All members are expected to join in with at least some Club activities – such as maintenance, building development, fundraising, coaching beginners, launch driving, management committee.
A number of rowers enjoy a bit of competition at Explore Events in the Thames Valley.
We also have a small fleet of fun boats for members to enjoy alone or with their family and friends.
Over the years it’s estimated that 1650 rowers have taken to the water under the guidance of GGBC.
It’s not just about river rowing. We are a recreational club and there are opportunities to enjoy other activities on tour with GGBC. Last year we went to The Lake District on a walking weekend, this year we are back to Wales. We went on fabulous weekends offering an introduction to gig rowing in Swanage and had a day trip to Studland for some sea sculling. And there is plenty of social activity with BBQs and drinks after rowing in the Summer and an annual Christmas party.
If you want to find out more get in touch. You are assured of a warm welcome.
GGBC is a community and amateur sports club (CASC) and limited by guarantee.
The Origins Of The Club
In 1988 John Calvert bought a single scull from Eton College. This prompted a group of 8 friends to follow suit and buy sculls for themselves. This was the informal start of the boat club with the Catherine Wheel pub as headquarters. The Catherine Wheel teams won the Wallingford Pub Regatta from 1991 to 1994 (the Blades received as prizes are displayed on the wall at the Catherine Wheel to this day). In 1991 the new rowing enthusiasts and their friends decided to revive the Goring and Streatley Regatta, last held in 1913. Following the very successful revival in 1992 the Goring Gap Boat Club was formed with the aim of encouraging local people to use the river in unpowered boats.
The Regatta has now grown into one of the major events in the area and the income has allowed the Boat Club to buy a range of boats including fours, sculls and punts. The club has always attached great importance to historical links with the area, the river and associated activities. Members have obtained a number of the original cups and photographs of the early regattas, which are displayed in the Boat Club tent at each Regatta.
In the early days the club was based at Thames Bank in Goring (then a Nursing Home) and continued to grow and thrive as an active boating club, and social meeting ground. Unfortunately, Thames Bank was redeveloped and our days at our first home were numbered. The Swan Hotel at Streatley then came to our aid. Attempts at obtaining planning permission for a permanent home there failed. It was at this stage that The Oratory School offered us a temporary home at Hardwick, near Whitchurch, where we shared their boathouse for a few years before constructing our temporary home on the nearby site with the agreement of Hardwick estate.
We have remained at the temporary site for several years but finally in November 2017 building work began on the long awaited permanent home in Lower Basildon. In January 2019 we relocated to our new permanent site where a four bay boathouse has been constructed. The boathouse is still incomplete, and further work is planned, adding a mezzanine floor with changing rooms, kitchen and training room, when funds are available.
The Club became GGBC Ltd in 2018 for the purpose of limiting the liability of the Club management committee and trustees. All Club members are guarantors of GGBC Ltd and the “guarantee” is limited to £1 in the event that the company is wound up and cannot pay its bills.
Goring and Streatley Regatta
The highlight of the club’s calendar is the bi-annual Goring and Streatley regatta. Details of the next regatta will be posted on the club website.
The regatta is the showcase for the club and a source of income. The objective is to introduce individuals to the joys of rowing and competition and involve the community in its activities. The success of the regatta relies entirely on volunteers. We therefore expect all club members to volunteer some time to carry out various tasks pre and/or during the event. As a member your help is very much needed and valued. Here’s how you can help:
Wet side (the rowing)
This involves the regatta training prior to the big day – we have 4-5 weeks of intensive training. Sessions are run every evening during the week and are great fun. We always need experienced coxes (we can provide training if required), land crew to organise the boats, people and car parking, and help with taking booking and sorting out entries. On regatta day it’s more coxing duty, race control and organising crews.
Dry side (everything else)
Key to the success of the regatta is the involvement and support of the local community. Organising the regatta site is a big undertaking and any help is always welcomed. Tasks include:
- Setting up the site and clearing it away again afterwards.
- Organising gazebos.
- Organising the entertainment and stalls.
- Advertising the event.
- Arranging sponsorship and participation from the local community.
- Organising the trophies.
- Running the bar.
- Access control and running of the site on the day.
Both the wet and dry side activities require a great deal of time and commitment from the membership. The more people that help the easier it is – it’s also great fun!
If you have any questions or ideas for the regatta, please get in touch with the regatta chairman (regattachairman@goringgapbc.org.uk).