Leander Club
Encyclopedia
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing
clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham
in the English
county of Berkshire
, adjoining Henley-on-Thames
. Only three other surviving clubs (two from the Oxford
colleges) were founded prior to Leander: Brasenose College Boat Club
and Jesus College Boat Club
(the two competing in a Head race
in 1815) and Westminster School
Boat Club, founded in 1813.
in 1818 or 1819 by members of the old "Star" and "Arrow" Clubs, and membership was at first limited to sixteen. "The Star" and "the Arrow" died out sometime in the 1820s and Leander itself was in full swing by 1825 and by 1830 was looked upon as a well-known and long-established boat club.
In its early days, Leander was as much a social association as a competitive club and it was steered by a waterman
. It was the first club to support young watermen and instituted a coat and badge for scullers.
In 1831 Leander defeated Oxford in a race rowed from Hambleden Lock
to Henley Bridge
, but when it lost the match with Cambridge six years later, Lord Esher noted at a dinner that Leander was a London Club consisting of men who had never been at the University but ... were recognised throughout England, and perhaps everywhere in the world, as the finest rowers who had up to that time been seen. However he also noted that they were 'verging on being middle aged men.'
Up until 1856 the number of members was limited to twenty-five men. After this date membership was increased to thirty-five and the limit finally abolished in 1862. In 1858 it began to recruit members from both the universities, but it was not until 1875 that had its first win at Henley with an eight consisting of one Oxford and seven Cambridge men, stroked by J. H. D. Goldie
.
Its first home is assumed to have been Searle's yard, Stangate — on the south bank of the River Thames
(on land currently occupied by St Thomas's Hospital). In 1860 the membership moved the club to Putney
where a small piece of land was rented on which a tent was erected for housing boats. This land was bought by London Rowing Club
in 1864 and is the site of LRC's current clubhouse.
Leander were able to lease a piece of land adjoining and in 1866 started to construct a boathouse. Thirty years later, in 1897, the club purchased land in Henley-on-Thames
and built its current clubhouse. The club's centre of gravity moved rapidly to Henley, although the Putney boathouse was retained until 1961.
For the first 179 years of its existence it was a men-only club, but opened its doors to women members in 1998, partly prompted by financial considerations, as the UK's Sports Council rules required organizations receiving funding to have an open membership policy.
Leander is one of only five clubs which retain the right to directly appoint representatives to the Council of British Rowing. The others are London Rowing Club
, Thames Rowing Club
, Oxford University Boat Club
and Cambridge University Boat Club
.
Watercraft rowing
Watercraft rowing is the act of propelling a boat using the motion of oars in the water. The difference between paddling and rowing is that with rowing the oars have a mechanical connection with the boat whereas with paddling the paddles are hand-held with no mechanical connection.This article...
clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham
Remenham
Remenham is a village and civil parish on the Berkshire bank of the River Thames near Henley-on-Thames in southern England.-Rowing:The parish covers the starting point of the Henley Royal Regatta course. Remenham Club is a private members club for rowers, with a good view of the river halfway along...
in the English
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
county of Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
, adjoining Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
. Only three other surviving clubs (two from the Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
colleges) were founded prior to Leander: Brasenose College Boat Club
Brasenose College Boat Club (Oxford)
Brasenose College Boat Club is the rowing club of Brasenose College, Oxford in Oxford, England. It is the oldest boat club in the world, having beaten Jesus College Boat Club in the first modern rowing race, held at Oxford in 1815...
and Jesus College Boat Club
Jesus College Boat Club (Oxford)
Jesus College Boat Club is a rowing club for members of Jesus College, Oxford, one of the constituent colleges of the University of Oxford...
(the two competing in a Head race
Head race
A head race is a time-trial competition in the sport of rowing, also known as crew to a few USA organizations. Head races are typically held in the fall and spring seasons. These events draw many athletes as well as observers...
in 1815) and Westminster School
Westminster School
The Royal College of St. Peter in Westminster, almost always known as Westminster School, is one of Britain's leading independent schools, with the highest Oxford and Cambridge acceptance rate of any secondary school or college in Britain...
Boat Club, founded in 1813.
History
Leander was founded on the TidewayTideway
The Tideway is a name given to the part of the River Thames in England that is subject to tides. This stretch of water is downstream from Teddington Lock and is just under long...
in 1818 or 1819 by members of the old "Star" and "Arrow" Clubs, and membership was at first limited to sixteen. "The Star" and "the Arrow" died out sometime in the 1820s and Leander itself was in full swing by 1825 and by 1830 was looked upon as a well-known and long-established boat club.
In its early days, Leander was as much a social association as a competitive club and it was steered by a waterman
Waterman
Waterman may refer to:* Watermen, river workers who transferred passengers across and along the city centre rivers in Britain* Waterman Or Waterperson. Someone who takes part in multiple water activities...
. It was the first club to support young watermen and instituted a coat and badge for scullers.
In 1831 Leander defeated Oxford in a race rowed from Hambleden Lock
Hambleden Lock
Hambleden Lock is a lock with a long weir situated on the River Thames in England. The lock is on the Berkshire bank between Aston and Remenham...
to Henley Bridge
Henley Bridge
Henley Bridge is a five-elliptical-arched stone road bridge built in 1786 at Henley-on-Thames over the River Thames, between Oxfordshire and Berkshire. The bridge links Hart Street in Henley with White Hill leading up a steep hill to Remenham Hill...
, but when it lost the match with Cambridge six years later, Lord Esher noted at a dinner that Leander was a London Club consisting of men who had never been at the University but ... were recognised throughout England, and perhaps everywhere in the world, as the finest rowers who had up to that time been seen. However he also noted that they were 'verging on being middle aged men.'
Up until 1856 the number of members was limited to twenty-five men. After this date membership was increased to thirty-five and the limit finally abolished in 1862. In 1858 it began to recruit members from both the universities, but it was not until 1875 that had its first win at Henley with an eight consisting of one Oxford and seven Cambridge men, stroked by J. H. D. Goldie
John Goldie
John Haviland Dashwood Goldie was an English rower, and barrister. He was the Cambridge University Boat Club President between 1870 and 1872, won the Colquhoun Sculls in 1870 and captained Leander Club between 1873 and 1876.Goldie was the son of Rev. Charles Dashwood Goldie, vicar of St Ives,...
.
Its first home is assumed to have been Searle's yard, Stangate — on the south bank of the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
(on land currently occupied by St Thomas's Hospital). In 1860 the membership moved the club to Putney
Putney
Putney is a district in south-west London, England, located in the London Borough of Wandsworth. It is situated south-west of Charing Cross. The area is identified in the London Plan as one of 35 major centres in Greater London....
where a small piece of land was rented on which a tent was erected for housing boats. This land was bought by London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
in 1864 and is the site of LRC's current clubhouse.
Leander were able to lease a piece of land adjoining and in 1866 started to construct a boathouse. Thirty years later, in 1897, the club purchased land in Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames
Henley-on-Thames is a town and civil parish on the River Thames in South Oxfordshire, England, about 10 miles downstream and north-east from Reading, 10 miles upstream and west from Maidenhead...
and built its current clubhouse. The club's centre of gravity moved rapidly to Henley, although the Putney boathouse was retained until 1961.
For the first 179 years of its existence it was a men-only club, but opened its doors to women members in 1998, partly prompted by financial considerations, as the UK's Sports Council rules required organizations receiving funding to have an open membership policy.
Leander is one of only five clubs which retain the right to directly appoint representatives to the Council of British Rowing. The others are London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
, Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club
Thames Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the River Thames in Putney, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1860.-Club colours:Red, white and black in stripes, the white stripe lying between the red and black and being of half their width....
, Oxford University Boat Club
Oxford University Boat Club
The Oxford University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Oxford, England, located on the River Thames at Oxford. The club was founded in the early 19th century....
and Cambridge University Boat Club
Cambridge University Boat Club
The Cambridge University Boat Club is the rowing club of the University of Cambridge, England, located on the River Cam at Cambridge, although training primarily takes place on the River Great Ouse at Ely. The club was founded in 1828...
.
Famous members
Some famous members include:- Ed CoodeEd CoodeEd Coode, MBE is a British rower, twice World Champion and Olympic Gold medalist.Educated at Papplewick School, Ascot, Eton College, University of Newcastle upon Tyne and Oxford University, where he attended Keble College and rowed in the Oxford crew at the 1998 Boat Race.Coode won his first World...
- James CracknellJames CracknellJames Cracknell, OBE is a British rowing champion and double Olympic gold medalist and adventurer. Cracknell is married to TV and radio presenter Beverley Turner; they have three children. In the New Year Honours List, 2004, he was appointed OBE for services to sport...
- Tim FosterTim FosterTimothy "Tim" James Carrington Foster MBE is a British rower. He began rowing at Bedford Modern School and competed in the Junior World Rowing Championships in 1987 and 1988. In the latter he competed in a pair with a Matthew Pinsent. He became the first British rower to win gold medals at two...
- Jürgen GröblerJürgen GröblerJürgen Gröbler is a German rowing coach, formerly the Olympic team coach of East Germany and later of Great Britain...
- Steve RedgraveSteve RedgraveSir Steven Geoffrey Redgrave CBE is an English rower who won gold medals at five consecutive Olympic Games from 1984 to 2000. He has also won three Commonwealth Games gold medals and nine World Rowing Championships gold medals...
- Matthew PinsentMatthew PinsentSir Matthew Clive Pinsent CBE is an English rower and broadcaster. During his rowing career, he won 10 world championship gold medals and four consecutive Olympic gold medals, of which three were with Steve Redgrave...
- Steve WilliamsSteve Williams (rower)Stephen David Williams OBE is an English rower and double Olympic champion.In April and May 2011, Steve will be taking part in Richard Parks'...
- Alex PartridgeAlex PartridgeAlex Partridge is a British rower, and an Olympic silver medallist- Education :Partridge started rowing at Monkton Combe School, Bath, and attended Oxford Brookes University to study Technology Management...
- Debbie FloodDebbie FloodDeborah Kirsty "Debbie" Flood is an English female rower, noteworthy for winning Silver Medals in the Quadruple Sculls at both the 2004 and 2008 Olympic Games....
- Rebecca RomeroRebecca RomeroRebecca Jayne Romero MBE is an English sportsperson, a former World Champion and Olympic Games medallist at rowing, and a former World champion and reigning Olympic champion track cyclist.-Biography:...
- Mark HunterMark Hunter (rower)Mark John Hunter MBE is a British rower.In 2007 he partnered Zac Purchase in the Great Britain Lightweight Men's Double Scull. They won medals at each World Cup Regatta through the season. At the World Rowing Championships in Munich-Oberschleissheim they won a Bronze medal...
- Tom StallardTom StallardThomas Alexander Stallard is a professional rower. He won a silver medal at the 2008 Summer Olympics for Great Britain in the Mens eight.-References:...
- Peter ReedPeter Reed (rower)Peter Reed MBE is a British Olympic rower. Reed has achieved two gold medals and two silver medals in the World Championships, and in the 2008 Beijing Olympics, he earned a gold medal in the Men's coxless four.- Biography :Reed was born in Seattle, but his family moved to England several months...
- Robin Bourne-TaylorRobin Bourne-TaylorRobin Edwin Geoffrey Bourne-Taylor, CGC was a British officer and sportsman. He is a three times Boat Race winner, and for his service in Afghanistan he was awarded the second-highest British gallantry medal.-Education:Bourne-Taylor was educated at Abingdon School and Christ Church, Oxford where...
- Josh WestJosh WestJoshua "Josh" West is a British rower.-Early life:West is Jewish, was born in Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States. His mother is American, and his father is British.-Rowing career:...
- Guy NickallsGuy NickallsGuy Nickalls was a British rower who competed in the 1908 Summer Olympics as a member of the British eight that won gold, won 22 events at Henley Royal Regatta and won the Wingfield Sculls three times....
- Gully NickallsGuy Oliver NickallsGuy Oliver Nickalls , also known as Gully Nickalls, was a British rower who competed in the 1920 Summer Olympics and in the 1928 Summer Olympics.-Life:...
- Ran LaurieRan LaurieWilliam George Ranald Mundell Laurie , known as Ran Laurie, was a British physician, rowing champion and Olympic gold medallist. His younger son is the actor and writer Hugh Laurie.-Rowing career:...
- Hugh LaurieHugh LaurieJames Hugh Calum Laurie, OBE , better known as Hugh Laurie , is an English actor, voice artist, comedian, writer, musician, recording artist, and director...
- Colin SmithColin Smith (rower)Colin Smith is a British rower, Olympic silver medallist and three times an Oxford Blue.-Education:...
See also
- Henley Royal RegattaHenley Royal RegattaHenley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
- London Rowing ClubLondon Rowing ClubLondon Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
- Thames Rowing ClubThames Rowing ClubThames Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the River Thames in Putney, London, United Kingdom. It was founded in 1860.-Club colours:Red, white and black in stripes, the white stripe lying between the red and black and being of half their width....
- Rowing on the River ThamesRowing on the River ThamesThe River Thames is one of the main rowing areas in England, with activity taking place on the Tideway and on the 45 separate lock reaches on the non tidal section. The river hosts two major rowing events The Boat Race and Henley Royal Regatta, and a large number of other regattas and long distance...