Club Handbook

We would advise all club members to read the club handbook especially those new to this stretch of river and new rowers.

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).

Waterborne Diseases 

A river is a living ecosystem that includes animals, plants, and  microorganisms. Although the Thames is a relatively clean water course, some of these microorganisms can cause diseases in humans.

For example:

  • Weil’s Disease – Leptospirosis 
  • Blue-Green Algae – Cyanobacteria 
  • Gastrointestinal illness 

Please make sure you read and understand any information on waterborne infectious agents and contamination provided by the club, and take the following actions to avoid serious illness:

  • See your doctor as soon as possible if you suspect you may have any relevant symptoms.
  • Inform the club if you have contracted a disease associated with a waterborne cause so that others can be encouraged to take greater precautions.
  • Cover all cuts or grazes with waterproof dressings if the water is contaminated.
  • Wash or shower after any significant contact with water from the river if you have any exposed cuts or grazes.
  • Never drink water from sources such as rivers, lakes, canals or sea.
  • Wash hands thoroughly before eating or drinking.
  • If contaminated water has been swallowed, refer to their doctor with full details of the incident.
  • Wear suitable footwear when launching or recovering a boat, particularly if it is necessary to wade into the water, to prevent direct contact with the water and protect the feet from cuts and abrasions.
  • Hose down all equipment after outings to remove any potential contamination.