What Makes Shoreham Rowing Club Unique?

Shoreham Rowing Club's defining feature is its location and range: it rows on both the River Adur and the open coast from a base on Kingston Beach in Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex. That combination of river and coastal rowing, plus a squad structure that starts with a no-experience-needed Learn to Row programme, is what sets it apart from clubs that offer only one type of rowing. It suits beginners looking for a structured introduction and experienced rowers who want racing as well as recreational community rowing.

Coastal and river rowing from one base

The club describes itself as offering "Coastal and River Rowing on the River Adur." In practice, that means members can train and row in sheltered river water and also take part in coastal rowing from the beach location. For anyone choosing a club, this matters because it widens the conditions you can row in and the skills you can build, rather than limiting you to a single stretch of water.

The base is at Kingston Beach, Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, West Sussex, BN43 6RN — on the water's edge and a short walk from the town centre. That makes it practical both for local members and for visitors attending a taster session.

A club built around racing and community

The site frames the club through its "coastal roots" and "racing spirit." Two parts of the website make that concrete:

• Upcoming races — a published race calendar showing where the club will be competing during the season.
• Results — race results across all squads, so you can follow how crews are performing through the season.

Alongside racing, the club presents itself as a community: it welcomes all levels, whether you are experienced or brand new, and points prospective members to a "Row for us" route for getting started. If you want to understand the club's identity and values in more depth, the "About SRC" section covers who the club is and what it stands for.

Squads for every level, starting with Learn to Row

The club's squad structure is the clearest signal of who it is for. The Learn to Row squad is designed as the entry point: it introduces the basics on land and on water, covering technique, terminology, safety and teamwork. No experience is required — the stated requirement is enthusiasm and a willingness to try.

From there, the club's results pages refer to performance "across all squads," indicating that rowers progress into other squads beyond the beginner programme. The site does not publish squad-by-squad eligibility criteria, so if you are an experienced rower, the practical next step is to ask the club directly which squad fits your level.

How to get started

1. Check the location. The club is at Kingston Beach, Brighton Road, Shoreham-by-Sea, BN43 6RN, a short walk from the town centre. Use the site's map link to plan your visit.
2. Choose your route. Beginners should look at the Learn to Row squad; experienced rowers should use the "Row for us" section.
3. Make contact before turning up. The site invites visitors "for a taster session or joining the crew," but it does not publish session times, fees or membership costs. Confirm these with the club rather than assuming a drop-in arrangement.
4. Expect land and water basics first. The Learn to Row programme begins with technique, terminology, safety and teamwork before and alongside time on the water.

Common sticking point: the website gives no pricing or membership details, so don't treat the absence of prices as meaning it is free — ask the club about costs and any trial arrangements.

The short answer

Shoreham Rowing Club is distinctive for rowing both on the River Adur and on the coast from a beachside base, for combining a racing calendar with an explicitly welcoming, all-levels community, and for a Learn to Row squad that requires no prior experience. Start with the "About SRC" and "Row for us" sections of shorehamrowingclub.co.uk, then contact the club to confirm session times, costs and squad suitability.