Rowing Section
The Bideford AAC Rowing Section was founded in 1897 and is one of the premier clubs in the West of England. We offer both recreational and competitive rowing and welcome rowers of all abilities whether you are interested in learning to row or are an experienced rower. For Junior Rowing, children must be age 11 and above.)
Not rowed with the Blues before? Why not come along and try a few rows with us before becoming a member. You’ll be made very welcome.
- On the water training, times vary depending on seasons and tide times
- Junior clubhouse training, Monday and Wednesday evening for children of all abilities age 11 and above
For more senior or junior information, simply get in touch.
The Rowing Section is affiliated to the West of England Amateur Rowing Association (WEARA).
Our members, family-friendly clubhouse offers toilets, changing rooms, showers, training hall, fitness equipment and bar/social area. The General Club Committee look after our clubhouse including maintenance, facilities, equipment, bar/social area and associated insurances.
Clubhouse hall and facilities are generally open on weekdays from 5/6pm until the bar/social area closes for various training groups and access to the changing rooms and showers; fitness equipment is usually available during this time just kindly check with groups using the hall. The hall and facilities are available for our members to book/use at other times, please contact the General Club Secretary, Candy, for availability (fair notice is required).
Members can also book the hall and bar/social area for family occasions, if available, please contact the General Club Secretary or speak to a member of the General Club Committee
Bar/social area is family-friendly and serves a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks and is open Tuesday to Friday from 7pm and at other times by arrangement and for member events. You are very welcome to bring family and friends with you; social membership is also available.
Club kit and clothing
Adult and kids general club clothing and accessories are available from our Portlantis online store for delivery.
Official club coloured kit including running vests and T-shirts are available from the clubhouse.
Member events
The Harriers Running Section holds a number of member events throughout the year, which rowers are very welcome to join, Members taking part in club member events, must wear official club colour kit to represent a club organised event and for safety to aid marshals on the courses.
Entering events
When entering events, including if you enter a running race, It is important you list your club as Bideford AAC (not Bideford Blues, Bideford Amateur Athletic Club or BAAC).
Members representing Bideford AAC in competition, races and events, or taking part in club member events, must wear official club colour kit, however this is not essential on training nights.
- Wimbleball Regatta
An eventful day turned into 5 wins, 2nd and 3rd places, capsizing and great help from our Juniors with rigging and unrigging boats.
Our wins came from
Barney Sen C 1x
Colin Masters 1x
Hannah & Sophie 2x
Ladies Sen C +( Hannah, Becca, Kirsty,Zoe & Sophie)
Open Novice 4+ ( Tom, Theo, Sophie, Flyn & Hannah)Our Juniors Izzy,Izzy, Michael and Harry took 2nd in OJ/16 4X+ with Ross ( Reds coxwaining)
This was the 2nd race of the day and with the conditions they did brilliantly.We had 2nd & 3rd places from our Senior Men in 4s and 2-.
Jens, Rupert,Bri, Barney and Tom.Our Star of the day was definitely our young
J/14 sculler Harry Guy. His race was one of the last events and he was determined to row it despite the conditions. He capsized at the start but got back in, he capsized again during the race. Most scullers would have come back in but not Harry, he carried on and finished the race and received a huge cheer from Senior rowers from other Clubs. - Bideford Regatta
So very proud of our Juniors today, for most of them it was the first time competing in a Regatta. Coping with nerves on the start line, helping with the boats and following instructions.
Wins today came from: Barney Evans Sen A 1x, Harry Fanson Sen C 2x, Harry and Barney Open 2x, Jens Klingenstein and Rupert Open 2-, Harry Guy J/14 1x, Colin Pennington Masters 1x, Mens Masters 4+
Well done to every one of our Rowers today, we had some very close races.
Today couldn’t happen without the help and support we received from: everyone who donated cakes, help in the kitchen, Dave, John, Jamie and Dave on water duties, Rob, Bobby and Nick on the steps and Charlotte who took control of numbers and getting crews on the water on time
- Totnes Regatta
Men’s Novice and Senior C took 3rd in each race. Harry Fanson, Theo, Flynn, Thomas and Hannah cox
Ladies Sen C also took a very good 3rd Hannah, Becka, Lexi, Amanda and Harry cox
Lexi in her scull took a 3rd in Ladies Nov and 2nd J/18
We finished the day with a 2nd Mixed Senior C Harry, Hannah, Becka, Theo and Amanda cox - Head of the Dart
It was a crew made up of rowers from Bideford Blues, Bristol and Falmouth that congregated at the Head of the Dart this weekend to make up a composite 8s crew.
The 10 mile course which is usually rowed from Totnes to Dartmouth had to be shortened due to strong winds making the conditions too rough to complete, instead the rowers had to row 3 miles down to Sharpham and race back up.
The crew of Alastair Peake, Steve Cheel, Nigel Cann, Martin Kelly, Colin Pennington, Neil Pennington, Andy Westcott, Dave Powe and Karen Curry (cox) were winners in the Masters Handicap, racing in the Masters E with an average age of 55. Overall they finished in a very impressive 12th place out of the 102 crews that competed. A great result in very tough conditions. - Junior inter regionals regatta, Nottingham
Two young crews from Bideford Blues travelled to Nottingham this weekend to take part in the Junior Inter Regional Regatta. The crews were picked to represent the West which was held at the Holme Pierrepont Country Park.
Both junior 16 coxless quad crews faced stiff opposition from their strong competitors but put in fantastic performances. The girls crew of Sadhbh Connor, Olivia Weston, Nell Gierke and Hannah Evans qualified for the B final and finished in a very respectable 4th place whilst the boys crew of Toby Evans, Charlie Colwill, Tom Picallo and Jack Berry also qualified for the B final and fought hard to finish 5th.
A great weekend of rowing was had by all, both crews did the club proud and agreat experience for all concerned.
Bideford AAC is run by volunteers with members and helpers giving their time for free in many different ways:
- Coaching or leading training sessions (seniors and juniors), training/qualifications provided and funded (T&Cs apply)
- Joining the club, running or rowing committee (typically meeting once per month)
- Our member events and 3 races take a lot of planning and organisation including marshalling, timing, drink stations, clubhouse refreshments to name just a few
- Helping out behind the bar 1 night approximately every 4 weeks (Tuesday to Friday only)
If would like to help to continue the success of the club and help to offer more please get in touch.