Rowing
the Hampton Heads
Each year the Hampton School Boat Club hosts two major rowing events on its home stretch of the River Thames: The Hampton Small Boats Head and The Hampton Fours and Eights Head.
Both races are run over a course of approximately 3000m downstream from Sunbury Lock. The first of these events is the Small Boats Head, typically held in late November, with the Fours and Eights head following in late January/early February.Viewing is possible, along the full length of the course; from the towpath running on the south (Molesey) bank from the start at Sunbury Lock to the finish at the western end of Platt’s Eyot. Some cycling is possible (but more difficult than at other venues); most supporters gather at the eastern end of Hurst Park, opposite Platt’s Eyot to cheer on at the finish.
Hampton is one of the top rowing schools in the country and it is a very popular sport amongst our boys.
Directions to the Millennium Boat House
The boys row on the Molesey stretch of the River Thames which is just a short run from the school. Our facilities are outstanding with a superb boathouse and impressive fleet of boats.
The school has a dedicated coaching team headed by its own, full time Director of Rowing, Colin Greenaway, a former international athlete and Junior International Coach for the Great Britain Team.
Pupils begin learning the discipline in the Third Year when they will be taught to scull. The emphasis is on enjoyment and watermanship.
There are regular training camps in the holidays, some at the Boathouse, but also in Seville, Hazewinkel, Belgium, Temple Sur Lot, Bordeaux.
Old Hamptonians, including Karl Hudspith (President of the Oxford University Boat Club 2012), the Livingston brothers and the Smith brothers have competed in the Boat Race. The Searle brothers are also well-known Old Hamptonians and Olympic Gold Medallists. (Greg Searle was part of the Bronze Medal GB Eight, London 2012 twenty years after his Olympic Gold in Barcelona 1992)
Hampton’s rowing department has a thriving Parents’ Association which raises funds to support our rowers.
J14
This is the beginners’ squad. The emphasis on J14’s is to establish watermanship rather than to win medals. The boys scull in: 1x, 2x, 4x and 8.The culmination of the year is finally racing at the National Schools’ Regatta and Peterborough J14 Regatta.
J15
In their second year of Rowing, sweep oar rowing is gradually introduced. The training becomes more intensive and boys will aim to compete in Eights at the National Schools’ Regatta.
J16
The J16 squad is a time of transition between the J15 and Senior Squad. Training gradually intensifies, as does competition. The Eights at the National Schools’ are still the main focus, but there is also the first opportunity to earn a Great Britain vest at the GB-France match.
SENIOR SQUAD
When boys join the Senior Squad, commitment is expected. Intensive training in the Sixth Form means new friendships are forged between the year groups. It is from the Senior Squad that the First and Second Eights are chosen.
We are proud that Hampton School consistently produces rowers who go on to represent Great Britain and England at the following International level competitions:
- Home Countries International
- Coupe de la Jeunesse
- Junior World Championships
CAMPS
The Hampton Rowing Department organises training camps for the different squads. In the Third Year we run an Easter ‘intensive’ training at the Boat Club. In the Fourth Year there is a one week training camp in Hazewinkel, Belgium and in the Fifth Year and Sixth Form there are two week long training camps in Temple sur Lot and Seville.
