One of the great joys of rowing is buying kit! The club’s primary kit supplier is Rival Kit and purchases can be made directly from their website. There is a wide-range of kit available and you are encouraged to train in whatever feels comfortable for you. Racing is primarily done in the club’s geometric all in one. At times other AIOs have been designed by crews during the season, but this is up to each individual crew.
In order to keep rowing accessible, the club’s sponsorship deal with MathWorks means that any kit that has MathWorks’ branding on it is eligible for a 33% discount. In order to receive the discount, please purchase the kit yourself and fill in the following form. The discount scheme is managed by the Junior Treasurer, and if you have any questions please contact them at treasurer.churchillcollegebc@gmail.com.
Winter rowing in Michaelmas and Lent Terms can be quite cold and damp, so having leggings and something waterproof is always a good idea. Suggested kit for winter rowing can be found below, and it’s always a good idea to check with captains beforehand as well! None of the kit needs to be really expensive, although investing in some good quality rowing gear can be worth it in the long-run.
Winter rowing checklist:
- t-shirt/all in one
- leggings/shorts (depending on your cold tolerance – always a good idea to have leggings available for when the temperature drops!)
- baselayer (it’s better to have lots of thin layers rather than just one thick one)
- splash jacket/waterproof jacket
- wooly hat
- thick socks
- gloves are not encouraged for rowing, as you need to be able to grip the blade properly, but they are useful for those cold mornings pre and post-outing
Summer rowing is what all makes it worthwhile – warm weather, beautiful views of the Cam, and evening sessions! However, recent summers in Cambridge have been very hot, so having appropriate warm weather gear is also important. Primarily, make sure to have lots of water before and during an outing, as well as the right kit.
Summer rowing checklist:
- all in one (great for tanlines)
- light-coloured, breathable, and (ideally) sun protective clothing
- hat
- sunglasses
- water