Sitting on the bank of the historic River Avon, Stratford-Upon-Avon Boat Club (SUABC) is a friendly and welcoming community of rowers and friends across many different squads. Training takes place on a short but busy stretch of river, complete with tourists, swans and rowers along tight bends and even narrower bridges. Embedded into Stratford’s deep history, and rowing alongside the Royal Shakespeare Company Theatre, the club’s boats are named almost entirely after female Shakespearean characters. Although fairly small in size, Stratford is big in personality as the club radiates a buzzing atmosphere and each member carries a strong sense of teamwork and support, clearly shown by squad mates and supporters alike in training and across the country’s riverbanks.
SUABC has a thriving junior section, with close-knit squads spanning the ages of J13 to J18 who regularly compete at local and regional regattas, as well as qualifying for national events such as Henley Women’s Regatta and the National Schools’ Regatta. Each squad is accompanied by nurturing coaches who selflessly give up their time to shape each athlete and offer an approach that caters to every rower and whatever goals and aspirations they may have. Although Stratford is a relatively small club, with mixed squads of twelve, it consistently punches above its weight, producing rowers of an international standard. In recent years, several talented athletes have progressed to represent Team GB and compete at the Home International Regatta. As the former home of Olympic athlete Esme Booth, the current athletes are provided with inspiring role models to look up to.
The adaptive section of SUABC was launched in 2015 with just two members, but has since gone from strength to strength as interest in the programme has steadily grown. The squad prides itself on its inclusive attitude, always seeking ways to ensure that anyone, regardless of ability, can get out on the river with a positive, can-do attitude. With members ranging from juniors to masters, the group trains regularly and actively seeks out competitive opportunities. This success was recognised in 2020, when the team was named ParalympicsGB Parasport Club of the Year. Meanwhile, head coach Mark Dewdney was awarded the British Rowing Welfare, Wellbeing, and Inclusion Award in 2025, a clear reflection of the programme’s impact and achievement.
The club also boasts a strong masters squad, who regularly compete at both regional and national events across the country. Its highly successful learn-to-row programme frequently produces athletes who remain with the club, integrating seamlessly into existing squads and helping to ensure continued growth. Alongside this, the daytime rowers form a friendly and relaxed group, taking to the river during the day to enjoy everything it has to offer.
Sustainability has become an increasingly important part of Stratford’s day-to-day operations. Since the formation of the Sustainability Working Group in January 2024, members from across all sections of the club have come together to test river conditions and explore ways to make the club more sustainable for everyone, encouraged through visits from British Rowing and Severn Trent. These efforts have been recognised in several ways, including winning the inaugural British Rowing Environmental and Sustainability Award and being mentioned in the Houses of Parliament. Through initiatives such as adopting a bee café, introducing environmentally friendly cleaning equipment, and running sustainability workshops for members, the club is taking strides towards a more sustainable future and hopes to inspire other clubs around the UK to consider their environmental impact.
The standout event of the season is the Junior Sprint Regatta, raced over 500 metres and featuring a notoriously tight bend. Crews from across the West Midlands come together to compete, and when it’s held in mid-June, near-perfect conditions often draw large crowds of local spectators cheering on their clubs. The regatta is known for its fiercely competitive racing, close finishes, and the inevitable steering drama around the unforgiving ferry bend. It serves as an excellent way to bring together all members and their families to exhibit the core value of community that strengthens the club, whether it’s through baking a cake for the refreshments tent or simply by helping the grounds look their best for visitors. For members, the club also runs its annual Boxing Day Regatta, where scratch crews of all ages go head-to-head over a short 250 m course in a battle for bragging rights. Open to the public, the club’s yearly Fun Regatta invites complete novices to form teams, take part in three one-on-one training sessions with volunteer coaches, and then race on the day itself over a short sprint course. With plenty of laughter, creative fancy dress, and a brilliant atmosphere, the event brings a new sense of community to the boat club and is always a day to behold.
Boating out of Stratford is King Edward VI School, a local grammar school who run a small but successful rowing program with three sessions a week. As founders of the Ball Cup South Regatta and inaugural winners of the Schools’ Head of the River Mixed Eights category, the programme achieves regular competitive success at a regional level and is now looking to establish itself within national competition.
