News

Posted: April 25, 2016

Dundee University’s burgeoning boat club is joining Scottish Rowing’s Project Rio campaign to further boost its membership numbers.

Twenty five years old in 2015, the club boasts one of the largest fleets of boats in Scotland together with a healthy membership of 70 students.

But, on the back of expected heightened interest in this summer’s Olympic Games, it anticipates growing its membership by an additional 30 people.

“I joined the club in 2012 post the London Olympics and the amount of influence the Games had on all the sports at the university and the union was massive,” said Club President and fourth year Anatomy and Physiology student, David Hardman.

“Watching our success at the Olympics was part of the reason I started rowing and I saw people coming to university with a much bigger interest in sport in general.”

Since then the rowing club has not only seen a rise in the numbers taking part but the standard of competition is rising too.  

“As a result of the London Olympics everyone in the club has become more determined,” said David.

“Having that fire is driving us towards success and this year I’ve seen a massive increase in our potential.

“Our long term aim is to be far more competitive on the Scottish calendar and get back up there competing with the top crews.”

Anticipating a surge in rowing numbers this summer, Scottish Rowing is leading Project Rio by assisting and supporting clubs with the resources they will need to get new participants on the water and to encourage them to make rowing a sport for life.

“You only get an opportunity like this every four years and we think Project Rio will be a good way for us to boost the number of people coming to training,” said David.

“And it’s a good way for us to prepare for competition against other universities.”

As part of Project Rio, Scottish Rowing will be leading a National Come and Try Week (18-26 June), Learn to Row courses throughout the summer and a Rio Regatta (24 September).  

“Scottish Rowing will come up with resources about how to give a good coaching course and how to teach people to row,” said David.  “So hopefully there will be a massive spurt in interest here as a result.

“We have 70 members and we hope we will bolster our numbers by 30 people, then hopefully we will drive it even further and increase our scope for getting more people on the water.”

For your club to get the most out of this opportunity for greater media coverage please sign up by 29 April 2016.

For more information on Project Rio visit:  www.scottish-rowing.org.uk/index.php/rio2016/prrio/projectrio

Or contact your Scottish Rowing Regional Development Manager; details at: www.scottish-rowing.org.uk/index.php/about-us/people