Rowing is a leading sport at Pangbourne, with the College being one of the most successful rowing schools in Great Britain. We are one of only four schools to have won the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup in Henley on four occasions.
The Pangbourne College racing squad starts in Year 9 and students are offered the opportunity to pick rowing as a sport in the Michaelmas Term using Pangbourne College Boat Club facilities on a six kilometre stretch of the River Thames. A framework is provided for elite rowers to help them achieve national selection, and many Pangbournians have represented Great Britain over the years.
The most competitive terms are the Lent and Summer terms, and pupils are able to balance their rugby/hockey commitments in the Michaelmas term alongside rowing training. They are then able to switch their focus to rowing after Christmas to fully prepare for the racing and regatta season.
Pangbourne crews attend local and national events throughout the year including the Schools Head of the River and National Schools Regatta. Each year the Boat Club holds a Rowing Club Dinner for over 120 guests. Recent speakers at the event have included Olympic gold medal-winning rowers, including Katherine Grainger CBE.
