Crews rowing on the River Nith at Dumfries, seen from the bank.

01 — The river

The river has always been here.

So have we. Rowing the same water at Dumfries since 1865.

Get involved What’s on

02 — What’s on

Dates for the diary.

Training: Wednesday 18:30 · Sunday 09:00

Nothing in the diary just now. Follow us on Facebook or Instagram to hear first.

03 — Ways in

However you’d like to start, there’s a way in.

Learning to row: Never rowed? The beginners’ course starts from the very beginning, in the club’s boats with the club’s coaches.Next course: dates to be set · £50 for 6 weeks
Juniors: Under 18? A parent or guardian gets in touch for them, and the welfare officer explains how juniors join. Every British title further down this page was won by a junior crew.
Rowing again: Rowed at school, at university or at another club? Tell us what you’ve done and we’ll talk about where you’d fit. Masters crews race as well as juniors.
Indoor rowing: The boathouse has ergos, and the club holds an indoor rowing competition with individual and team events, juniors included.
Helping out: Regatta days, the boats and the boathouse all need hands. Tell us what you could help with.

Three club members mid-stroke on rowing machines at the boathouse, old racing photographs on the wall behind them. — Ergos at the boathouse.

Never rowed? What people ask

Do I need to swim?: Yes — 50 metres in light clothing, and you’ll be asked to confirm it when you join. It is a river, and the rule exists for good reason.
Am I too old?: No. One of our members took it up in her sixties and races. Rowing is low-impact and the club has members across every decade.
Am I fit enough?: Almost certainly. The course is built for people starting from nothing. Rowing will make you fitter rather than requiring you to arrive fit.
What do I bring?: Close-fitting clothes — loose shorts catch on the seat. Trainers you don’t mind getting wet, water, and dry clothes, because the Nith is not warm.

A dozen adults of every age on rowing machines at the club’s open day, the Club Captains honours board on the wall behind them. — The open day at the boathouse.

04 — The crew

Two of the people you would be rowing with.

Three club members at the naming of a new boat, one holding the bottle, the Saltire draped over the hull. — Naming a new boat at the Greensands.

“Everyone is very welcoming and keen to ensure you get the most out of being part of the club. Age definitely isn’t a barrier — I’m in my 60s and having a great time.”
Joan · joined in her 60s

“Nithsdale is a great way for anyone to get involved in the local community and experience our historic river Nith while making friends.”
Harvey · Club Captain

05 — The fleet

Seven boats, every one named for something out of Dumfries.

The boat Ingrams on trestles, its name painted on the hull. — **Ingrams**The hotel where fourteen gentlemen met on 4 September 1865 and founded what became this club.

The boat Miss Jessie McKie on trestles, its name painted on the hull. — **Miss Jessie McKie**Paid for the town’s public baths and wash-house, and for widening the Buccleuch Street bridge just down from the boathouse. The only woman given the Freedom of the Burgh.

The boat Robert Burns on trestles, its name painted on the hull. — **Robert Burns**Spent his last years in Dumfries as an excise officer. The club’s caption says he wrote *Auld Lang Syne* here.

And four more: Jean Armour, the Black Douglas, A’Loreburn and Reviresco — a poet’s wife, a medieval knight, the town’s own rallying cry, and a clan motto that means I flourish again.

06 — Honours

Honours

11

British titles since 1988

Every one won by a junior crew. Nobody has to race, but the club is set up so that you can.

British titles since 1988
Year	Winning crew
1988	Women J18 4+
1991	Women J18 2−
1994	Men J18 2−
1996	Men J18 4+
1997	Women J18 8+
1998	Women J18 2x
1998	Men J16 2−
2000	Men J18 4−
2002	Women J14 1x
2005	Open J16 2x
2006	Women J18 2x