Facilities
Water
UWRC have one of the finest stretches of water in the region to train on. The river is the Severn and our stretch is from Bevere Lock (upstream) to Diglis Lock (downstream). The typical head piece distance is approximately 6km with slightly more if every meter is used! The time that it takes to cover the distance are very comparable to the time it takes to cover the 7km of the tideway course. The river has both straight sections ideal for short sprints with several crews or the long winds expected during head season. Every type of race can be prepared successfully for here.
Due to its beauty and all of the other qualities that make it attractive to rowers, the river is also used widely by other sports, groups and businesses.
Other clubs/groups include:
- Worcester Rowing Club
- Royal Grammar School Worcester and Alice Ottley School Rowing Club
- Kings School Worcester Rowing Club
- University of Birmingham Boat Club
- Worcester Canoe Club
- Worcester Dragon Boat Club
In the Summer the river is also populated by private canal barges and business tourist boats.
Despite this, due to the hours at which the club trains, we often find the river almost deserted and at its best.
It is very rare that wind is an issue and even when it is very strong you are almost certain of being able to find calm stretches.
The Severn is prone to flooding, but no more so than any other river. The boathouse is sufficiently high above the river that its 'feet' occasionally get wet, but not much more than that.
Boathouse
We are currently allowed use of some of the boats of Worcester Rowing Club (see equipment for details) which are stored in their boathouse. This is a custom built building with a luxurious upstairs including toilets, showers and a bar. At this moment we rarely make use of this as we have yet to have need of it, but that is something that we may arrange with WRC to change.
The amount of space allocated to UWRC at the moment is limited to enough for our 2x/- and one 4+, this is something that we are in active negotiation to change with the University looking to work in partnership with WRC to create boat racking space.
Any members looking to rent racking space would need to arrange this with WRC, but should talk to us about it first.
The boathouse is located within easy walking distance of both existing and new campuses.
Erg Room
WRC have use of a fantastic room with a balcony that overhangs the Severn. It is fully equipped with a large number of ergs and C2 slides. UWRC has use of this room on a rota with WRC squads through the week. See the example of a training week for when these times might be. It is expected that members are able to access the room every day as long as they stay within the allocated slots or the 'free use' times.
Weights Room
Next to WRC is Worcester Racecourse. It is one of the jockies' changing rooms that has been converted to fulfil the purpose of weights room. It is equipped with a range of bars and weights along with various benches, cages and leg press machines. All members are required to complete an induction before being permitted to use this room.
Circuits Hall
Once per week the club meets for circuit training, which can take different forms. We use one of the University's recently refurbshed gym halls which has all the equipment that we need to run our different sessions. The circuits hall has shower facilities attached.
University Gym
By being a club member you do not get access to the university gym and we supply sufficient equipment for the training, but for those who need something closer to halls or with a wider variety of equipment, the gym is available.
