4 July 2019

The River & Rowing Museum announces a major conference on rowing in a press release (here slightly edited by HTBS).

The River & Rowing Museum in Henley-on-Thames will be hosting a debate on the future development of the sport of rowing at a full-day event planned for November 2019. The conference is called “Rowing Futures: Inspiration, Engagement and the Future” and will be held in the museum’s International Rowing Gallery, which, among other things, features the iconic Sydney coxless four in which Sir Steve Redgrave won his fifth Olympic gold medal, together with James Cracknell, Tim Foster and Matthew Pinsent. This is the perfect location to host this thought-provoking event, which takes place on Saturday, 16 November, between 9:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.

“Rowing Futures” will explore how rowing in the UK pushes boundaries – increasing diversity, encouraging the growth of indoor rowing and inspiring the next generation of Olympians and Paralympians.

Sessions will include an exclusive insider’s view on the GB Rowing Team’s preparation for Tokyo 2020 from Brendan Purcell, British Rowing Director of Performance. Guin Batten, Olympic medallist and Chair of the Women’s Head of the River Race, which is the largest women’s rowing regatta in the world, will explore how competitive rowing is embracing new formats such as beach sprints and adaptive rowing. As the Museum celebrates its 21st year, one of its ‘founding fathers’, rowing journalist and historian Chris Dodd, will take a tour of its history through key objects.

‘The River & Rowing Museum houses a rowing collection of international significance, so it’s fitting that we’re the place to encourage debate about the sport. As part of our 21st anniversary, the conference will take inspiration from the past to engage people in its future’, said River & Rowing Museum Director Dr Sarah Posey. ‘Special half-price tickets for under 30s will encourage a new generation to join the conversation.’

Often seen as the preserve of the elite, the River & Rowing Museum, in partnership with British Rowing, will be showing how the world of rowing is changing.

‘The sporting landscape is changing and so is rowing, so it is fantastic that the River & Rowing Museum will be bringing people together to talk about the future development of the sport. With an excellent line-up of speakers, I’m sure it will be a fantastic event for everyone, said British Rowing Chair, Mark Davies.

“Rowing Futures: Inspiration, Engagement and the Future”, Saturday 16 November, 9:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. 

Tickets are available for the conference from the museum’s website, with special Early Bird booking rates before 31 July, and half-price tickets for those younger than 30.

Clive Radley is generously supporting this conference.