Members’ Handbook

We hope that you find this handbook a useful source of information.  Additional content will be added over time, so please come back now and then to see what is new.  If you cannot find what you are looking for please try using the Search tool at the top right hand corner of the page (click on the magnifying-glass icon next to your name in the dark grey bar and a search box will appear; enter your search term then press the Enter key).  If you still cannot find what you need, or you spot any errors, or have any suggestions for enhancements, please e-mail the club secretary.

It is important that you familiarise yourself with the club rules and policies. In particular:

All members should ensure they are paying the correct membership fees, on a monthly or yearly basis. In case of exceptional financial hardship where membership or other fees would prove a barrier to participation, members may contact the Club Captain to request discretionary rates.

You may also find the following information useful:

Various notices and discussions about club activities can also be found in the Forum section of this website. For more informal chat, photos and videos, there is also a Club Facebook page, and a club presence on Twitter account and Instagram. If you are a member of a squad or crew, please ask the leader/co-ordinator about how they communicate and plan outings, and make sure you are added to their mailing lists and any relevant Facebook groups, WhatsApp Chats etc.

Additional information:

Introduction to the Club

Cantabrigian Rowing Club started in 1950 as a club for the pupils and old boys of the Cambridgeshire High School for Boys (now the Hills Road Sixth Form College). In the 1960’s Cantabrigian, known locally as ‘Cantabs’, became an open club and has been accepting general membership ever since.

The club is a member of the Cambridgeshire Rowing Association (the CRA), and is also affiliated to British Rowing (formerly the Amateur Rowing Association, or ARA).  The club has its own boathouse in Chesterton with plans for expansion, subject to planning approval and raising sufficient funds.  We also use some facilities at the CRA boathouse.

The club aims to promote rowing across the entire range of age and ability, and to provide the coaching and equipment to take rowing to a competitive level.  In particular, the club offers an opportunity for all eligible members to participate in the annual CRA Bumping Races in the last week of July.

We have strong connections with local schools, providing rowing classes as part of the syllabus and offering pupils the opportunity to row outside of school hours.  Cantabs became a Project Oarsome club in July 2001, cementing its links with local schools and gaining a substantial award of junior training equipment from British Rowing.

Each year, the club organises the Cambridge Winter Head race, a time trial event that takes place in mid-November. It has good reputation as an event, and relies on the help of all club members to make it a success.

The club is run by volunteers – there are no paid staff, but a core group of people devote a lot of time to keeping things running. The club appoints committee members at an AGM each September, co-opting additional members as required through the year.  The Club Constitution is available for download.

HM Revenue and Customs has registered Cantabs as a Community Amateur Sports Clubs (CASC), which brings the club certain financial advantages, including being able to claim Gift Aid on donations.