Torpoint
Rowing Club
www.torpointrowingclub.co.uk
Club History
The original Rowing Club was founded in the early 1900's and was situated at the bottom of Quarry street. Right from its early days and up until the start of the second world war, Torpoint was a strong force in rowing, in events held around the port of Plymouth. It was eventually destroyed in 1944 and all rowing activity ceased.
August 1965 saw the resurrection of the club. At short notice Torpoint formed a few crews to enter Saltash and Penryn Regattas. The young crews did us proud and returned with many cups and medals. Many local people attended the Regattas to offer their support, and having seen the victorious crews come ashore decided that they needed a permanent building to house the boats, and a place where the crews could change and shower. Local people went back to their homes and turned out their cupboards to make up food parcels, etc, to raffle.
Within a few days enough money had been raised to purchase various equipment. An old landing craft was acquired and sited alongside the gasworks wall, this was used as a meeting place and provided showering and changing facilities for the rowers. In 1966 a caravan was secured and the local community was encouraged to raise funds to build something more permanent. 1967 saw the start of something bigger and more lasting and, with gigantic fund raising plus a grant, the present building was eventually opened in 1968. Its main purpose was rowing in the traditional Cornish style and the club was very successful throughout the county.
Other activities soon came along, and under the guidance of Mr Archie Beale (the Cornwall Youth Officer), the youth side prospered. After a few years, the West of England Amateur Rowing Association (sliding seat rowing) was introduced into the club, forming its own section.
Notable Events
In September 1998, David Jackson who had rowed for Torpoint for the last 10 years, represented the club in the Atlantic Rowing Race challenge being organised by Chay Blyth. It was be the world's longest race - starting in the Canary Islands and finishing in late December 2,900 miles away in Barbados. The two-person crews will compete on equal terms using identical specially designed 23-foot (7M) boats. Competitors have received the boats in kit form and will either assemble them themselves or get a boat builder or joiner to do the job. Dave built his own boat in the boathouse at Torpoint, where he launched it in May 1998.
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