London Otters Rowing Club
London Otters Rowing Club is an LGBT-friendly rowing club based at the London Regatta Centre in the Docklands area of London, U.K. on the River Thames.[1]
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| Motto | Fraternitas Super Aquam 'Brotherhood over the water' |
|---|---|
| Location | Docklands, London, U.K. |
| Coordinates | 51.5077°N 0.0415°E |
| Home water | River Thames |
| Founded | 2014 |
| Affiliations | British Rowing boat code - LOT |
| Website | www |
| Acronym | LORC |
| Events | |
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Structure
Rowing at the London Otters is structured within three squads: the Senior Squad with the greatest training commitment, including erg sessions, the Novice Squad for those with some rowing experience who wish to improve, and the Social Squad for competent rowers who do not wish to commit to regular training.[2] Each squad is led by a Captain and training is led by a coach.
New members must either have prior rowing experience or join via one of the club's Learn to Row courses, known within the club as 'Otterpups' courses.
The club is governed by a committee led by a Chairman.
History
The club was founded in 2014 by friends Grant Ralph and Warwick Lobban, who struggled to find a club that would allow them to develop their rowing skills while being openly gay.[3]
Gay Games
In 2018 the club sent 76 members to the 10th Gay Games in Paris, where they won 3 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze medals.[4]
In order to raise funds for the trip to Paris, members of the club rowed the 344 km distance from London to Paris on rowing machines.[5]
Rainbow Races
In support of the Stonewall Rainbow Laces campaign, the club held a regatta at the London Regatta Centre in 2017, 2018 and 2019.[6] Rowers race in coloured clothing to make the rainbow flag symbol.[7]
London Pride Parade
The club was awarded the prize for Best Float after the 2019 Pride in London parade.[8]
References
- "Club details". British Rowing.
- "Our Squads". London Otters Rowing Club.
- "Our story". London Otters Rowing Club.
- "London Otters Rowing Club: 'How I went from beginner to winning bronze at the Gay Games'". BBC Sport.
- "London Otters to Row the Distance between London and Paris to Raise Funds Ahead of Gay Games". QX Magazine. 19 July 2018.
- "Rainbow Races". London Otters Rowing Club.
- "Rainbow Laces: How the London Otters LGBT rowing club brings people back to sport". Sky Sports.
- "London Otters Win Best Float at London Pride". London Otters Rowing Club.