About KUBC
Keele University Boat Club (KUBC) has been part of Keele since 2010. We row at Trentham Lake and complete our land training in the Sports Centre on campus.
Most of our members had never rowed before joining, so no previous experience is needed. Experienced rowers are equally welcome, and members can choose how seriously they want to train. We mainly scull at Trentham, but there will also be opportunities to sweep row. You can also join as a cox with no previous experience, as full training will be provided.
Transport to Trentham is organised and paid for by the club. This may be through a minibus, lifts with other members or public transport, depending on the session. You do not need to have a car at university to row with us.
Free taster sessions
Free taster sessions will run during the first two weeks of term. These give you the chance to try rowing before buying a membership.
Taster sessions can be booked through the form in our Instagram Linktree. We will provide the coaching, equipment and transport to Trentham.
Training groups
Members train in one of three groups:
Novices
This group is for people who have never rowed before. Novice sessions cover the basic technique, safety and boat skills needed to become confident on the water. Attendance is flexible, and Novices will still be offered opportunities to race.
Seniors
This group is for people who have rowed previously or have progressed beyond the Novice standard. Seniors can continue training and rowing without committing to the full Competition schedule. They will also be offered opportunities to compete.
Novices can move into Seniors once they have reached the required rowing standard.
Competition
The Competition group is for members who want a more structured training programme and plan to race regularly. Some sessions will be compulsory so crews can train together, learn how each other rows and prepare properly for competitions.
Complete beginners can choose the Competition group, but they will also attend suitable Novice sessions at the beginning while learning to row safely. Members can move into Competition during the year if they decide they want the extra structure and commitment.
Training timetable
Our campus sessions take place on Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays. Water sessions at Trentham run on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Exact times will be confirmed before term begins.
| Day | Session | Location | Group times |
|---|
| Monday | Erg training | Keele Sports Centre | Competition: 07:30 - 09:00 / Novices: 17:00 - 18:30 / Seniors: 18:30 - 20:00 |
| Tuesday | Erg training and Strength and Conditioning | Keele Sports Centre | Competition: 07:30 - 09:00 / Open: 17:00 - 18:30 / Strength & Conditioning: 18:30 - 19:30
|
| Wednesday | Water training | Trentham Lake | TBC |
| Friday | Erg training | Keele Sports Centre | Competition: 07:30 - 09:00 / Novices: 17:00 - 18:30 / Seniors: 18:30 - 20:00
|
| Saturday | Water training | Trentham Lake | TBC |
| Sunday | Water training | Trentham Lake | TBC |
Competitions
KUBC competes at BUCS events, smaller head races and regattas, as well as indoor rowing competitions.
The Competition group follows the most structured race preparation, but racing is not limited to that group. Opportunities will also be offered to Novices and Seniors throughout the year.
The club covers entry fees for our competitions and organises and pays for transport.
Memberships
There are three KUBC membership options:
| Membership | Price | What it includes |
|---|
| Full Rowing Membership | £60 per semester or £115 for the year | Water sessions at Trentham, erg sessions, Strength and Conditioning, coaching, equipment, transport to the lake, competition entry and transport, and access to all socials |
| Erg Membership | £36 per semester or £70 for the year | Scheduled erg sessions, Strength and Conditioning sessions and access to all socials |
| Social Membership | £12 for the year | Access to all socials |
Paid social activities, tickets and the holiday are purchased separately from all three memberships.
Full Rowing and Erg members must also purchase the annual £60 Team Keele membership required for university sport. Team Keele is only paid once each academic year, so anyone who already has it through another sports club will not need to buy it again.
For students who want regular structured training, the Erg Membership can cost less than a student gym membership.
Socials
Socials are a big part of KUBC. Our regular plans include themed Wednesday socials, sober activities every other Saturday and KPA meet-ups after Sunday rowing. We also organise an Easter holiday, currently with the location still to be confirmed.
One of our biggest charity events is the annual Ergathon, where members work together to complete a rowing challenge and raise money for charity. Other one-off events and joint socials will be announced during the year.
Full details for each social will be posted on Instagram and in the KUBC Socials WhatsApp chat.
How to get involved
You can:
Register your interest through the Keele SU website
Meet us at the Freshers’ Fair
Book a free taster session through the form in our Instagram Linktree
Message us on Instagram or TikTok
Look out for KUBC flyers and events during Freshers
Our Instagram and TikTok username is @keeleunibc
KUBC uses a WhatsApp Community to organise the club. It contains separate chats for Novices, Seniors and Competition, as well as the Socials chat and an optional Drivers chat for members willing to help with lifts. Prospective members can join the Socials chat during Freshers to receive plans and updates.