The Junior Squad is the largest group at KRC with just over 100 active members, offering rowing to anyone aged 14–18. Since 2011, when our squad of 40 finished the season with a pennant and course record at the Schools' Head of the River and two silver medals at the National Schools' Regatta, our Junior Section has grown steadily through Learn to Row courses that feed athletes into a well-structured pathway. Each season the squad focuses on the National Schools' Regatta, Henley Women’s Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.
This season the Junior Squad has more than doubled in size — particularly among the J16 and J17 groups — thanks to excellent retention of J14s and J15s moving up, plus new members joining from neighbouring clubs. The results this year demonstrate that our junior programme is in a very strong position: five athletes are currently pursuing the GB trials programme, and we’ve expanded our coaching team and volunteer coaching assistants to support continued development.
Training structure
- J14 squad: take part in five training sessions per week, both on and off the water.
- Development squad: athletes coming through Learn to Row typically join the junior development squad, which trains four times a week and is well-suited to those new to rowing.
- Performance squad: trains six weekday sessions plus 2–3 weekend sessions, focused on high-performance preparation and regatta competition.
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Parents play a vital role in supporting club activities both at events and at the club. We're looking forward to another amazing camp in Italy as we further develop our strong relationship with Olympic medallist Gillian Lindsay. It’s shaping up to be an exciting season ahead.
Charlie Patterson is Head of Junior Rowing, leading a coaching team that has consistently raised standards. KRC junior crews regularly qualify for the Fawley Challenge and Diamond Jubilee Cups at Henley Royal Regatta and the Bea Langridge and Nina Padwick Cups at Henley Women’s Regatta, and the squad has enjoyed a large medal haul at National Schools’ Regatta and other national events, with several athletes going on to represent their country.
These are huge achievements for a rowing club and come from the dedication of our Junior Coaches and the hard work of our athletes.
