A birthday bash was held at the Swanage Sea Rowing boathouse in Dorset, to mark 25 years since the club was formed in 2001, and to celebrate becoming winners of the Jurassic League for 2026.
The double celebration on Sunday 23rd August 2026 was attended by more than 100 club members, specially invited guests including Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes, Swanage deputy town mayor Sarah Vile, and former town mayor, councillor Mike Bonfield, as well as many of the original founding members of the club.
The new Old Harry and Winspit gigs were moved out of the boathouse to make room for the party
Started in 2001 by a few enthusiastic members
The idea for the Swanage Sea Rowing Club was first mooted in 1999 by a small group of friends who met at the Black Swan pub in Swanage High Street.
The plan gained traction and so, in 2001 Swanage Sea Rowing Club was born with a few enthusiastic members and just one boat. 25 years on and the club of 2026 is almost unrecognisable from its modest beginnings.
It now has six gig boats, nearly 200 members, a thriving junior and under 25 sections and a cabinet full of trophies won by the men’s and women’s Cornish Pilot Gig Rowing racing teams.
Since 2013 it has also had its own purpose-built boat house on Marshall Row, a stone’s throw from the beach where the gigs are launched.
However it’s not just about winning races, as there is also a popular social section for those who enjoy rowing without competing in regattas.
Left to right: Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes, former town mayor councillor Mike Bonfield, and Swanage deputy town mayor Sarah Vile were among the specially invited guests
“A successful club at the heart of our community”
Opening the event, Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes said:
“I am delighted to officially open the 25th anniversary celebrations of Swanage’s very own sea rowing club. Our town is fortunate to have such a progressive, well run and successful club at the heart of our community.
“To the club’s great credit, it also has a flourishing junior section, giving the young of our town a great sense of purpose, belonging and pride in their achievements.
“The club’s success brings recognition to our town throughout South West England and important visitor income to our businesses. Swanage Town Council is proud to have helped the club at important stages of its development in the last 25 years, and we wish the club every success for its next 25.”
Reverend Ian Bird (left) with chair of the club Adrian Charters (right)
Photos, memorabilia and trophies were on display
Also present at the celebrations were the Reverends Ian Bird and Dave Richards, who both blessed the club’s newest gig ‘Old Harry’, when it was launched at the Swanage Regatta in June 2026.
Since then, ‘Old Harry’ has gone on to win some 80 percent of its races, so they were heartened to know that their gig blessing had proved so effective!
As the sun shone down, the guests enjoyed a barbecue, specially baked anniversary cakes, and sing-along musical entertainment provided by the Swanage Ukuladies who had re-formed specially for the occasion.
A highlight of the event was a collection of photos, memorabilia and trophies bringing back happy memories of great times and great friendships formed since the very beginning of the club.
The display was researched, collected and curated by Dee Barron, a member of the club from its very beginning until 2015, who was hugely instrumental in fundraising for the new boathouse and the racing gig ‘Winspit’.
Future plans for the club include a fundraising and development project to provide a new training and exercise room.
On display were lots of old photos and memorabilia
Swanage Jurassic League winners 2026
The day before the celebrations on Saturday 22nd August 2026 the club enjoyed success at Langstone Regatta in Hampshire, with their crews winning 11 of the 14 races and coming second in the remaining three.
The day’s victories confirmed Swanage as overall winners of the Jurassic League for 2026, following earlier fine performances throughout the year, most notably at Weymouth, Lyme Regis, Bridport, and at Swanage Regatta itself.
The juniors meanwhile excelled themselves coming second in the National Championships.
The women’s veterans (over 40s) also did themselves proud by winning the inaugural European Championships at Mount Edgcumbe in Cornwall.
Swanage town mayor Chris Tomes (left) with chair of Swanage Sea Rowing Club Adrian Charters (right)
“Friendship and camaraderie”
Addressing the event, chair of Swanage Sea Rowing Club Adrian Charters said:
“Since its formation in 2001, Swanage Sea Rowing Club has grown from a small group of enthusiasts with a single wooden gig into a thriving club with more than 185 members, six Cornish Pilot Gigs and a purpose-built boathouse overlooking Swanage Bay.
“Milestones have included the arrival of the original ‘Old Harry’ in 2002, opening the boathouse in 2013, racing success around the country, hosting major championships in Swanage and, in our 25th anniversary year, launching the new ‘Old Harry’. Yet the club has always been about much more than boats and racing.
“None of this would have been possible without the tremendous support of the local community. Local organisations, businesses, charities and individuals have helped through fundraising, sponsorship, volunteering and encouragement, enabling us to develop our facilities and introduce generations of people to sea rowing.
“In return, SSRC has become an active part of Swanage life, providing opportunities for juniors and adults of all ages and bringing visiting rowers and their families to the town.
“Perhaps our greatest achievement cannot be measured in trophies. Rowing has improved the physical health and, just as importantly, the mental wellbeing of many of our members.
“Being out on Swanage Bay, exercising in the fresh air and working together as a crew provides purpose and belonging.
“For some, the club has been particularly important during difficult times in their lives. The combination of exercise, the sea and knowing others are looking out for you can be enormously powerful.
“Above all, SSRC is about friendship and camaraderie. People of different ages, backgrounds and abilities row together, volunteer together, celebrate successes and support one another when life becomes difficult.
“After 25 years, perhaps the club’s proudest legacy is not simply the boats in our boathouse, but the friendships, shared experiences and sense of belonging that have grown around them.’
Sunday was the first of two anniversary events for the club, with a second celebration party planned for November 2026 at the Isle of Purbeck Golf Club.
Musical entertainment was provided by the Swanage Ukuladies
Further information
- More about the Swanage Sea Rowing Club
