80 rowers prepared for the 2025 British Rowing Tour on the Rivers Weaver and Dee
The 2025 British Rowing Tour is taking place from 28 to 31 August 2025, starting at Winsford, Cheshire
The tour will run to to Runcorn over the first 2 days, then moving across to Chester on the last day.
There are approximately 80 participants from 18 different clubs with ages ranging from early 40s up to 80. They will be in stable coxed quads, some acquired by British Rowing with sponsorship from Charles Stanley Wealth Managers and others from various clubs.
Day 1 will be a morning row from Winsford to Northwich, with lunch hosted by Northwich Rowing Club, followed by a visit to the National Waterways Museum at Ellesmere Port. Day 2 will be from Northwich to Runcorn, stopping at the Grange School Boat Club for a picnic lunch. And day 3 will be on the River Dee from Chester to Ironbridge and back with another picnic lunch.
The first British Rowing Tour took place some 30 years ago and ran from Lechlade to Weybridge, with approximately 20 participants. The Lead Volunteers were Pat Sherwin and Pip Lewenden of Southsea RC and the BR lead professional in the early years was Alan Meegan.
John and Caroline Turnbull succeeded Pat Sherwin and built the event up over the following years to the level it is today, with the help of members of the BR Recreational Rowing Committee whose representatives cover almost all the British Rowing regions. Previous tours have been held on the rivers Thames, Severn, Trent and Great Ouse plus the Norfolk Broads and Yorkshire and Scottish canals.
The British Rowing Tour has expanded to other countries, initially led by Richard Pickup of Nottingham BC and later by John and Caroline, who have been active on the World Rowing Tours and formed international rowing friendships. Earlier this year 28 rowers visited Steenwijk in Holland and last year a large group was hosted by Berliner Ruderclub on the Wannsee.
The “Charles Stanley” coxed quads are looked after by Goring Gap and Isle of Ely Rowing Clubs and are available for clubs to hire.
For more information on touring rowing, visit www.recrowing.org.uk
