Masters Men’s Squad

About us

Whether you’ve rowed internationally or you came to rowing last week, there is room here for everyone to enjoy this sport we love.

We have 70 masters men on our books. At any one time, half row actively out of Tideway Scullers School while the rest think about it. The squad is overseen by our coach Stephen Aitken. 

Of the active rowers, about two thirds follow our season-long programme and train up to six days a week. A second group also loves to compete but prefers a more relaxed approach. Our two-speed squad means that everyone can enjoy rowing at the intensity that suits them. It also works well for new members, many of whom are coming back after 20 or 30 years away from the sport. They need time to decide how recreational or competitive they want to be.

We’re always on the river Saturday and Sunday mornings: out at 7.45am, back by 10am for tea and a toastie in the bar. Some also go out in the week before work and, in the summer months, many of us row in the evening.

In September we begin in small boats: singles, doubles, pairs, quads and fours, and race in half a dozen winter heads. At the turn of the year we put together 3 competitive 8s and enter major UK fixtures and some abroad. Our finale is the Veterans’ Head in March, and then we form smaller crews and compete in sculling and sweep events through the summer. Last year we had wins at Hammersmith and Kingston Heads, Henley Masters Regatta, the British Masters Championships and the World Masters champs in Hungary, as well as several local regattas. We race in age groups D to H. 

We have members who once competed at the top level for their schools, universities and clubs. We also welcome people who want to learn from scratch - often after they become a rowing father through the club or their child’s school. 

We still row because the pleasure goes as deep as ever. It’s the hardest sport any of us have tried to master. But when you’re on the Tideway as the sun comes up, and you get it right for a few strokes in a row…it’s hard to beat how that feels.

Email us at membership@tidewayscullers.com if you’d like to hear more.