UK Surf Rowing

1
UK Surf Rowing

• The UK Experience
• Peter Gaisford

2
Agenda

• Development of Surf Rowing in the UK
• Background to why the UKSRL was formed
• Issues in setting up the UKSRL
• Key steps in the growth
• Constraints to development
• Options going forward from the UKSRL Perspective

3
UK Surf Rowing development

• Legacy based upon influences
• Surf Lifesaving
• Australian influences
• Competitions

4
Why the UKSRL was formed

• The sport
• Surf life Saving vs Rowing
• Increase the number of events
• Funding
• Supporting each other in the UK and Europe
• Developing clubs, crews and representation
• Committees
• Competition rules
• Competitions
• Venues UK and Europe
• Future venues

5
UKSRL Growth

• Started 1997
• 4 Clubs with Surfboats
• 20 members
• 2003 UKSRL formed
• 5 Clubs with Surfboats
• Website created
• UKSRL Summer Surfboat Series
• 40 members (Men Women)
• 2004
• 6 Clubs with Surfboats
• 81 members
• Attended World Champs
• 2005
• 7 Clubs with Surfboats
• 68 members
• 2006
• 8 Clubs with a Surfboat
• 130 members
• Crews become the priority

6
Membership Structure
Surf Life Saving Association GB
ARA Exploratory Talks (2007)
UKSRL (2003)
Perranporth (1968)
Portreath (1971)
Bude (1970)
Saunton (2002)
St Agnes (2005)
Twickenham RC (2007)
Porthtowan (1970)
Llantwitt Major (2005)
7
Constraints to development

• Coaching and Training
• Establishing individual membership
• Coaching of Rowers and Sweeps
• Equipment
• Surfboats
• Oars
• Trailers
• Support Organisations
• Surf Life Saving GB The RNLI The ARA
• Other

8
The UKSRL and future options

• Have established the organisation, however for
  the step change needed in going forward decisions
  include
• Encourage the River Rowing Clubs
• E.g. Leander, Marlow, City of Bristol,
  Twickenham, Southampton, Durham etc..
• Affiliate to the ARA (National Governing Body)
• Encourage the Coastal Rowing Clubs
• Develop relations with European Surf Rowing
  Associations Clubs
• Position the UKSRL to secure better funding and
  develop the sport.