What To Wear
Keep warm in winter and cool in summer.. Your rowing gear should be comfortable, flexible & light, allowing you to move freely and to not weigh you down should you end up in the water.
Do not wear baggy clothing as it will get caught in the handles and the runners!
Mandatory items: Hi Visbility tight fitting clothing, wetshoes/boots.
What To Wear: Winter Essentials
Wetsuit Boots
There aren't many things worse than cold, wet feet. A decent pair of boots will add enjoyment to your row, give protection to your feet on the beach and also stop your heels slipping in the footstraps.
The thicker the better but we've found that 5mm works perfectly well in even the coldest temperatures.
Tight Fitting Layers
Loose fitting tops are to be avoided (Hoodies, T shirts or jackets with pockets will get caught in the handles at the end of the stroke, causing you to 'catch a crab'. Which isn't good!)
A rowing all in one is a common choice, with long sleeved base layers underneath.
Splash Jacket
A waterproof jacket to wear while warming up is essential both in winter and summer months.
Pogies
These are essential for a lot of rowers in extremely cold temperatures (or for rowers susceptible to cold hands/reynauds)
It's unusual to find a rower wearing gloves as they don't allow you to feel the oar and maintain a solid grip. Pogies go over both of your hands and the oar handle, allowing you to maintain grip, while staying warm! These are available for both sculling and sweep rowers.
Headwear
When it's extra cold, a snood and a woolly hat will go a long way! (You lose 1/3 of your body heat through your head!)
Hot Water Bottle
Stick one of these in your kit bag with your boots and you'll thank us!
Great for warming your hands up on cold days too!
It is also a good idea to take a flask of hot water to put in your wet boots before you put them on before your row!
Dry Robe
Great for keeping warm before and after your rows!
What To Wear: Summer Essentials
Wetshoes/Crocs
Walking over concrete in bare feet is no fun.
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Most of our rowers wear wet shoes/wetsuit boots or crocs in the summer months. Some wear just socks to row in, but a pair of crocs/wellies/sliders are essential for walking around the boatyard.
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Tight Fitting Layers
A rowing All-in-one (AIO) is recommended, but cycling shorts, a tight vest or a tight sports T shirt work great too.
Anything that isn't going to get caught in the handles!
Headwear
A baseball cap or a Visor work great for keeping the sun, sweat and hair out of your eyes.
Sunglasses
Sunglasses are always a good idea when rowing. Reflections from the water mean there is no escaping the suns UV rays.
Sun Lotion
As rowers, we are exposed to the sun not only directly, but also indirectly from water reflections.
The higher the SPF, the better!
