iCoast - Explore the Dorset coast

Gig racing and rowing

Rowing is one of the oldest Olympic sports, and Dorset’s magnificent coastline and rivers are a great place to do it. Rowing is a team sport where athletes face backwards while sat in a boat using oars to propel them forward.

Rowing Clubs

If you want to learn rowing, consider joining a rowing club where you can develop rowing skills and meet like minded people.

iCoast provides links to a range of gig racing / rowing clubs in Dorset. There are different levels of membership available and being in a club means that you can use their equipment and rowing facilities.

You don’t need any prior experience or a high level of fitness to take up rowing. Club members have training sessions as a part their schedules to boost their fitness and endurance. You should however be able to swim in the sea for at least 100 metres.

Types of rowing

You can take part on two types of rowing on the Dorset coast:

• Coastal rowing: these boats have sliding and half staggered seats. Coastal rowers row with one oar in each hand and usually row and race close to the shore and in wide estuaries.
• Cornish pilot gig rowing: these boats are traditionally made of Cornish Elm and have fixed seats. There is space for 6 rowers on each boat, with one oar each, and a coxswain.

When is the best time to do it?

Competitive rowing takes place in the spring and summer months. During the winter months most clubs decide not to go out on the water but to stay inside and train in gyms.