Rowing
The King’s rowing programme runs all-year-round and is open to all pupils in the Senior School.
Senior School rowers take part in two river sessions each week during Games lessons, supplemented by Rowing Academy outings on Saturday mornings.
Additionally, rowing is offered as an alternative Games option to pupils in Year 7 and 8, where lessons focus on introducing younger pupils to basic techniques and the safe handling of boats in and out of the water.
Rowing at King’s is open to all, with beginners joining the boat club each term to experience their first taste of being on the water. More experienced rowers have the opportunity to advance their skills and compete in a wide range of competitions and regattas.
Our aim is to enter at least nine competitions each year, with races scheduled based on dates, availability and rowing abilities.
We regularly attend the following competitions:
- National Junior Indoor Championship
- JIRR Thames South East Trials
- Maidstone Small Boats Head
- Maidstone Autumn Head
- Molesey Junior Head
- Pairs Head
- Barnes and Mortlake Regatta
- Chiswick Regatta
- Ball Cup Regatta
- TVP Regatta
- National Schools Regatta
Valentin Piticariu
Head of Rowing
vpiticariu@kings-rochester.co.uk
Our rowing programme has grown substantially over the last two years under the expert guidance of Mr Valentin Piticariu. Mr Piticariu rowed with the Romanian National Squad for nine years. Highlights of his professional career included winning a gold medal in an 8+1 at the World Rowing U23 Championships Amsterdam, 2005 and a silver medal in a quad at the World Rowing U23 Championship in Hazewinkel 2006.
The Boathouse
The Boathouse Allington, Maidstone ME16 0NB
Our boathouse is located on the River Medway at Allington, Maidstone. The boathouse is fully equipped with a gym and rowing machines. We have 13 rowing boats, one eight, four quads, three doubles, five singles and three safety boats. Each rowing session can accommodate up to 24 pupils per group with three or four staff members on site.
