Introduction to the club

Upton Rowing Club in its present form is relatively young* having been formed in 1995 by Steve Cox and his wife Pat and Martin Harborne who all live in the Town. Steve and Martin were members of Worcester Rowing Club at the time, but did a lot of their training rows - With Pat coxing - at Upton. The original committee was Steve - Captain, Pat - Secretary and Martin - Chairman.

The club was helped (Both financial and structural) by many local friends and acquaintances, including the then Earl and Countess of Coventry.

Since then, the Club has steadily increased to its present membership of over 100. This has been due in part to the friendliness of the Club members - most of us learned to row at Upton so we can remember what its like to be a beginner! Former members include Zac Purchase. The uninterrupted (over 16 miles between locks), stretch of water we have at our disposal and, not least, the post-rowing activity of re-hydration..

We have a good mix of rowing abilities from novice to veteran, and an expanding junior section. We run beginners courses for both adults and juniors and we have two recreational rowing boats. So if you fancy a go whatever your age or ability and whether you fancy competing or just rowing socially, contact us at members@uptonrc.org.uk

*Although The following article, taken from an August 1835 edition of Berrows Worcester Journal, appears to refer to a much earlier Upton Rowing Club:-

"A rowing match took place. between eight gentlemen, including a coxswain, of the Gloucester Union Club, and a similar number of the Upton Rowing Club. The start took place about four o'clock, from near the brick-works at Apperley ; the distance was four miles against the stream, the winning point being the Mythe Bridge. The water was very low, which was of course a considerable impediment to the competitors, and particularly to those who were not well acquainted with the shoals, which are not unfrequent in this part of the Severn. The Gloucester Club won the toss for choice of sides, and taking the lead, gradually drew a-head of their opponents, who, nothing daunted, pursued the "even tenour of their way;" till the fore-most boat got fast aground upon the weir wall near the Upper Lode. The crew of the Upton boat made great efforts to pass in advance; but one of the Gloucester men, jumping into the river, got their boat off, the Upton being then only about a boat's length astern. A great struggle for the lead now took place, when one of the Upton men losing an oar, it became evident their chance was gone. The Union came in about eight boat's length a-head of their opponents, having been forty-five minutes in performing the distance. The parties afterwards adjourned to the Lower Lode Inn where a large number of amateurs, including the Tewkesbury, Worcester, and Gloucester Junior Clubs, sat, down with them to dinner, and the evening passed off with great good humour."