The Expendables and Expendabelles
The Expendables is the name of a group of male rowers at the West Norfolk Rowing Club. They, along with their female equivalents of the Expendabelles, row regularly at the relatively new and expanding club situated at Denver Locks. The launching area into the River Ouse is very wide which makes it very easy to follow the rowing activity of a number of learners. Upstream the river is picturesque with wide easy bends that continue up to Ely for a distance of over 22K when it is possible to row further without any inhibition by locks.
The Expendables go out in sculled boats mainly coxed quad, coxless quads but also doubles and singles and occasionally a sweep four boat. The age of the Expendables and Expendabelles has no upper limit, but generally are in the 50 years plus category. Some are working while others are retired. Some prefer just leisure rowing, but there are others that are prepared to train for and take part in the local regattas, head races and marathons.
If already a rower, then there is not a problem about slotting into existing Expendables and Expendabelle groups. The outings by the current Expendables and Expendabelles is early morning on Tuesdays and Sundays.
The club members and the Expendables and Expendabelle group are very sociable with the post rowing get together seen as an essential part of the rowing activity. If you are interested in joining the Expendables or Expendabelles please contact......
Hope and Salvation
Hope and Salvation are a small group of 5-6 scullers whose primary focus is training and racing in a quad. Our aim is to be competitive in a number of heads and regattas.
We train on the water a minimum of twice a week on a Saturday and Sunday morning early, all year round. If a member is not in the quad that day then they single or erg, dependent on conditions. Most of our outings are drill heavy with a focus on endurance in the winter and rate/power in the spring/summer.
All members train for both Heads and Regattas although some choose not to race one or the other. Crew members row independently in the week and erg/cross train 3-5 times per week. We test on the ergs once every 2 months.
We target a head race every month and a number of local regattas in the summer, further afield HORR and BR masters championships.
H&S ages range from 43-58 but we usually race a quad at Masters D. The training crew is small which means we can train together often and race as a tight crew. Other club members have filled training seats as and when needed.
Ouse sox
Currently consists of two women who have the same aspiration, to train, develop their skills with the aim to race and bring home a cup. They came together in April 2022 having the same aim to set themselves a goal to aid their rowing. Having tried regattas, they decided longer distance heads are more for them.
In agreement with their coach, they have created a developmental training programme to increase their skills and overall
fitness to get the boat moving faster. This includes training five times a week both on and off the water. With a combination of cardio, strength and conditioning and stamina building. Through a variety of activities to suit their home and work life balance, from weights, swim, cycle, running, erging, on water skills, distance and time trials on the water to build on their overall fitness.
They balance this with supporting their respective junior rowers and are on the pathway to achieving their goal.
If anyone is interested in joining them, please feel free to speak to either Fran or Carol and you never know a quad may also be in the making
Independant Scullers (or better name!)
The Club provides fine single and double sculls at various weights, although many of our single scullers choose to purchase their own boat and rack at the Club. Many of our independent scullers compete regionally within East Anglia, but some have trained to compete at British Masters and aspire to World Masters.
There is a significant section of scullers who enjoy a longer row. They routinely row 15-20km in a session, coordinating their activity for safety and comradery. Several also train for the longer distance events such as the Great Ouse Marathon and Boston Marathon.
The club has a number of beginners’ sculling boats which are stable, sturdy and ideal for those starting out in sculling, either individually or in pairs. The coaching team and club captains can provide guidance and will give you permission to use a suitable boat.
Scullers are welcome to join other squads for elements of training such as weights or ergs, where space permits.