Author: Debra Hutchings

Another memorable day by the water at Goring Gap Boat Club. This year’s Waterside Festival for Sport in Mind was GGBC’s most engaging yet, with 45 attendees in total — including around 30 Sport in Mind participants — coming together to enjoy the calm, connection, and joy that time on the water can bring. It was truly inspiring to see 35 people take to the rowing boats and 27 try paddleboarding, many for the very first time. The sense of community, support, and shared experience was tangible throughout the day. A heartfelt thank you to the GGBC volunteers and The SUP Life team for their time, energy, and warm welcome. Moments like these remind us of the power of sport to bring people together, uplift spirits, and create lasting memories.

Sport in Mind is the UK’s leading mental health sports charity, using the power of physical activity to transform lives. Dedicated to improving the lives of people experiencing mental health challenges, the organisation delivers free, inclusive, and supportive sport and physical activity sessions in communities across the country. Whether it’s yoga in the park, football on a local pitch, or paddleboarding on calm waters, every session is designed to boost mental wellbeing, build confidence, and combat isolation. At its heart, Sport in Mind believes in the power of movement — not just to improve fitness, but to restore hope, spark joy, and create lasting connections.

Thank you to Melvyn Newman for his beautiful photography!

A great start to the Regatta

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?