From learning to row to a rowing regular: Edward from Putney Town Rowing Club

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As part of her regular visits to clubs and organisations funded by Active Thames, our Impact and Partnerships Officer, Emmeline Endresen recently visited Putney Town Rowing Club. During her visit, she spoke with club member Edward about his experience at Putney Town and the positive impact that discovering rowing has had on his life. 

From discovering the sport and finding a sense of community, to seeing his new-found love of rowing compliment his aspiration for a career in Maritime Law, Edward, a recent graduate from the University of Roehampton, spoke about his experience at the club. 

Q: What got you into rowing and how long have you been with Putney Town Rowing Club? 

A: I started rowing in my final year at the University – I hadn’t done any kind of team sport for probably two years or so, but I had played rugby previously. I was a bit overweight, and I missed that kind of team atmosphere and the fitness benefits. I want to form a career in maritime law so I thought that it would be cool to get into watersports.  

I live by the Thames in Richmond and heard about a team at Putney Town Rowing Club. I did my trial in September 2025 and then completed Putney Town’s “Learn to Row” programme up at Barn Elms. It was a good experience for someone new to rowing and I really enjoyed it. Brian, a coach at Putney Town, completed our Learn to Row course and got a nice group together.  

I started on the water in October or November, and in December, we were integrated into our developmental squads.  

Then in March I competed in my first Head of the River Race! That was probably one of the best experiences I’ve had so far – it was amazing because it was only a few months from when I started rowing for the first time. 

Just getting to row three or four times a week, whether that’s indoor or outdoor, I’ve met with a really good quality group of guys. They’re all different ages too it’s a different experience from what you have with a typical university rowing team. Getting to do this with people of different ages provided a positive different experience than what I’d had previously and the group is quality! 

I feel like rowing as a sport is one of the best things someone my age can do. Some people probably think it’s too much work, but if you put everything into it, it doesn’t feel like work at all. It gets you out, it’s therapeutic and you get fit all at the same time. You get to be with the whole team; you have a community and get to socialise too. 

Q: What have been the leading benefits for you from rowing itself, or being part of this club and community? 

A: In terms of health benefits, when I was at University I got to a point where I decided I really wanted to get fit. I had been studying law for long hours and decided I wanted to do a sport. Since I started rowing, I’ve now got to a level where I can do more things! Walking and running used to really tire me out, even just walking up the stairs, but everything feels a lot easier when you can move around better and that really helps your mental health a lot.  Whatever stage you’re at, it’s a great starting point to get your health back in order – it's a form of therapy basically! 

Also, after being part of this team since December, I’ve realised I don’t really care what people think and all that matters in this space for me is being part of the group. We really encourage each other. There are people at different levels and that doesn’t really matter here, and that helps with building confidence.  

Q: How was it taking part in your first ‘Head of the River Race’? 

A: At the club, everyone wants to take on a competition, and everyone is very supportive. I was definitely scared going into it because it’s such a long race! It was one of the hardest days of my life in terms of pushing your body to the limit, but what I got out of it was just great! We’re now looking ahead to some of the Head of the River Race’s this season, and I’m nowhere near as scared as I was before. 

Q: You mentioned rowing and that you specifically study maritime law – can you talk about that connection, what you’ve studied and what your career aspirations are there? 

A: My interest in the marine industry started with my Dad. He grew up in western Australia and had an interest early on in marine environments, eventually getting into the yacht business. A lot of my family were also serving in the Navy in various countries. That’s one of the things that really sparked my interest – the freedom that you experience being on the water and disconnected from the land. 

I chose to do law at university and wanted to make a connection with what I have an interest in, which is shipping. Rowing has been the first step for me in getting hands-on experience being within the marine space.  

The exposure I’ve had to maritime affairs as a result of joining the rowing club has really helped me. For example, just being on a boat, taking the launch down to the water’s edge, putting the engine on and knowing about the tides has been valuable. It enables me to get experience in maritime law while rowing, it all blends well together! 

Maritime law has become a bit of a focus in the world now. If you’re doing quite an intensive career like that, why not get into something like rowing or sailing on the Thames. 

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Q: What do you want people to know about this club and your experience here? 

A: One of the things I appreciated most about the club when I came here was that I felt like it's a part of the immediate local community. 

The coaching has been really great; I train five times a week now and we have two or three coaches depending on what we’re doing. The coaching is quality – Bill and Brian [coaches] were very open to the idea of someone who has never tried the sport before. It’s a very friendly atmosphere; I can’t recommend it enough for someone who doesn’t know what sport they want to do.   

The club facilities are great too; there’s pretty much always a boat available to go and have a row! There are also always indoor rowing machines working, and the gym has been great too.  

Obviously, the location is great too – when the boat race happens, we can see the end of it where we are. And when there’s races or regattas that you’re not competing in, you can sit on the balcony and see flotillas going past.  

Q: What do you think are your next steps? 

A: I just graduated so I’m taking a gap year and then going to do a specific maritime law degree at another university. For now, I’m going to be finding experience. The good thing about London is it’s the centre of the marine space.  

I’m going to continue rowing 100%. I’ve had a chat with my coach, and she suggested I try out rowing at my next university, but now that I’ve found this club that’s so local I’m definitely staying here. I’ve found my group of people!