What is Dittons Skiff and Punting Club?

Updated

Dittons Skiff and Punting Club is a friendly, member-run local club based in an idyllic riverside setting at Thames Ditton, offering the traditional river sports of skiffing and punting. It suits people of all ages and abilities who want to try these sports socially, take on longer distance trips, or compete at regattas through the season.

What the club offers

The club describes itself as run by members for members, with two main activities:

  • Skiffing — Skiffs are hand-crafted traditional wooden sculling (rowing) boats, built as singles or doubles and steered by a cox. The club offers social skiffing and longer distance trips, as well as racing at regattas throughout the summer. It presents learning to row in a skiff as great fun, sociable and a low cost sport suited to all ages and abilities.
  • Punting — Punting is a traditional Thames summer sport supported by the club. Dittons racing punts are flat-bottomed, square-ended craft moved with a pole against the river bed, raced as both singles and doubles. The club describes it as a challenging combination of skiers' balance with velodrome competition and tactics, and enormous fun both to race and to watch.

Juniors

The club runs a busy junior section every Sunday morning from 9.45 am. Children from age 10 upwards are welcome. They are taught in traditional Thames skiffs (rowing boats), learn the skills needed to cox (steer) a boat, and build up river safety knowledge. Over the summer months, river conditions permitting, punting is also offered as an option for juniors on Sunday mornings.

Facilities and social life

Members have access to:

  • A gym with rowing machines (ergos), a multi gym and free weights
  • A club house with its own bar, a kitchen suitable for mass catering, a large club room, and a balcony with a river view
  • A busy social calendar throughout the year
  • The club house available for private use by members

Racing and events

The club competes against other local skiff and punting clubs at regattas throughout the season. Its own Dittons Club Regatta is listed for Saturday 19th September, with events details available on the site.

Getting involved

The club welcomes new members of all ages and invites anyone interested to get in touch through the website to see what it has to offer. A "Learn to Row" course is advertised for Sunday 9th August, with enquiries made through the website.

Note: The club's pages do not publish membership pricing, so costs should be confirmed directly with the club rather than assumed.