Leander Club

Club History

Founded in 1818, Leander is one of the oldest rowing clubs and the oldest non-academic club. It relocated to the Henley area in the late 19th century and has a long record of competing at Henley Royal Regatta, first entering in 1840, and producing Olympic and international athletes. The club opened membership to women in 1998 and has a documented history of historic honours at Henley and other championships. More about the club's history.

Rowing Programme

Leander runs a structured Development / High Performance programme for men, women, and juniors aimed at preparing athletes for national squad selection. The club fields men’s and women’s squads, operates a gap-year intake, and recruits athletes nationally into its squad structure. The High Performance programme is recognised and supported by the GB Rowing Team and funded in part via National Lottery support. Recruitment is managed via an online application form for prospective squad members. Learn more about the rowing programme.

Learn to Row

Leander’s junior/development pathway accepts some absolute beginners and runs sculling/learn-to-row activity as part of its Academy/outreach work. The club identifies young talent via school outreach, invites successful candidates into the junior intake, and provides progressive land and on-water sculling tuition, winter training camps, and a pathway into the senior development squads. News items and academy newsletters describe seasonal learn-to-row/learn-to-scull courses and junior equipment partnerships. More information on learn to row.

Facilities

The Clubhouse backs directly onto the Henley Reach and includes an on-site boathouse and large fleet, which consists of Empacher doubles, quads, pairs, coxless/coxed fours, and eights. Additional facilities include a rowing-specific weights room, Concept2 ergometers, a crew room, professional catering, a library, bar, dining rooms, and 11 boutique en-suite bedrooms. The club also runs designated gym access windows for members and provides physio support for athletes. Explore the facilities.

Safety Guidelines

Leander publishes a Safety and Safeguarding section covering British Rowing safeguarding policy, a club Welfare Officer contact, anti-doping adherence, a club Code of Conduct, and practical documents such as an indemnity form for pontoon use and a water risk assessment. View the safety guidelines.

Events Calendar

Leander runs a year-round programme of club and member events and is actively engaged in rowing competition across the national season, regularly contesting Henley Royal Regatta and other national regattas and head races. The club also hosts seasonal social and member events. Check the events calendar.

Visitor Access Policy

The clubhouse is open to members, with hours and dining windows published on the What’s On pages. The club operates reciprocal-visit rules for members of partner clubs, typically requiring a letter of introduction. Use of rowing and training facilities is restricted and requires express permission. During regatta weekends, the club publishes visitor guidance and booking/contact details for events and visits. Learn about visitor access.

Seasonal Operations

Leander’s rowing programme follows the UK rowing calendar, with long-distance/head-race work in autumn/winter, winter training camps, intensive land and on-water preparation in spring, and entry to regatta season in late spring/summer. The clubhouse publishes seasonal opening/closing notices for Christmas and specific event-period arrangements. Find out more about seasonal operations.

Membership Information

Club rules set out membership categories, eligibility criteria, notice periods for election, and subscription rules. Full details of application pathways, membership benefits, and the application link are published on the club website. Specific fee amounts are not published in the rules documents. Read the membership information.

Member Benefits

Published member benefits include use of the Clubhouse, priority accommodation rates for the bedrooms, a year-round social events programme, reciprocal access to a network of partner private clubs worldwide, free room hire for social events, reduced leisure centre membership arrangements, and special arrangements during Henley Royal Regatta. The club also provides member gym access windows and member-only societies and activity groups. Explore member benefits.

Community Engagement

Leander documents local engagement initiatives including outreach to local schools and talent-spotting, participation in Henley town events, hosting local business/network meetings, partnering on river-health initiatives, and donating venue time to community and charity activities. Learn about community engagement.

Private Hire

The Club offers private hire for conferences, corporate events, team-building, private dining, and weddings. Conference and meetings pages publish day delegate rates and room capacities for multiple rooms, as well as booking/contact details. Find out more about private hire.