Rowing and punting Taster Sessions in Dittons Skiffing and Punting Club TASTER SESSIONS

Join us for a rowing and punting taster session

Rowing and punting are healthy and enjoyable outdoor sports that you can participate in throughout the year. At the club we offer free taster sessions of both punting and rowing (skiffing) starting on the 25 th of May through to the 24 th of August, start time 6.30 on a Thursday evening. No experience is necessary as you are guided by experienced members of the club.  It is a perfect introduction to the sport and also an opportunity to find out more about the club. You can get fit and enjoy the beauty of the Thames against the backdrop of Hampton Court Palace.

Following your session on the river, we have a beautiful club house and bar, stay and enjoy a drink after your outing.

Come along and give it a try, turn up on a Thursday from 6.30 pm.

Try Rowing

At the club we offer free taster sessions every Thursday evening at 6.30 pm from 25 th May to 24 th August. This gives you the opportunity come along and give the sport a try.

  • Tuesday & Thursday club nights.
  • The social outing on Friday morning.
  • ‘Bridge to Bridge’ (Hampton Court to Kingston) on Saturdays.
  • Sunday morning singles.
  • Sunday junior rowing sessions.
  • Regattas – every weekend through the summer.
  • Numerous club social events.

No experience is necessary you are guided by experienced members of the club and it is a great fun introduction to rowing. You can come along and enjoy the beauty of the Thames against the backdrop of Hampton Court Palace.

No need to book, just turn up at the club house at 6.30 pm and we will arrange crews.

Please remember to wear sportswear, such as you would wear to the gym.

Please contact vcskiffing@dittons.org.uk to find out more

Try Punting

Punting is great fun as well as being very skilful. It is also the most elegant of the traditional summer sports. Dittons has been an active punting club from inception and has provided many champions – including both the current men’s and women’s amateur champions with the club also winning the Morris trophy for the best punting club on the Thames.

Monday Evenings
In addition to the Thursday evening taster sessions, there is the opportunity for anyone to come along on a Monday evening and give the sport a go.  From 5.30 pm till dusk we welcome anyone new to the sport as well as train and generally enjoy the river. Suitable clothing would be comfortable sports kit, old trainers and spare clothes to change into in case of (unusually) falling in. We punt on the shallow edge of the river but punting is a water sport and we do ask that you can swim.

Throughout the summer we take “pub away-days” trips up and down stream when good weather is forecast for the weekend.

New members are welcome. No need to book, just turn up at the clubhouse on Monday evenings 5.30 pm onwards.

Please contact our vcpunting@dittons.org.uk to find out more

Learn to Row Courses

Dates for the next courses will be announced in the coming weeks.

These comprise three sessions which give you an all-round introduction to rowing (skiffing).  Courses run on the Friday evening and Saturday mornings.
Each course is great value at only £50 (payable before the first session) – and we will deduct the £50 off the price of your first year’s membership if you decide to join. Your coaching will continue until both you and we feel you are competent.

Here are some answers to some questions you might have:

Not particularly, but you do need to be able to step into and out of the boat below riverbank level. You need to be capable of swimming 50m in clothing. (You will NOT be asked to do this as part of the course)

Any kind of sports kit and trainers. It’s best to avoid jeans or ‘hoodie’ sweatshirts that have a front pouch for your hands – the oar handles tend to get caught in them.

The course is for adults only (18 or over) but there’s no upper age limit provided you are in good health. We have several members in their 70s who skiff regularly.

For safety reasons the course may be postponed if there’s strong winds, fog or a fast stream. We’ll notify you as early as we can but due to the open-air sport it’s possible – but unlikely – that there may be late notice. If it’s not possible to rearrange the course we’ll refund your course fee.

At our Clubhouse; Albany Reach, Queen’s Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0QH

Please fill in the form below.

    Gender: MaleFemale

    Can you swim 50m in light clothing?*: YesNo

    Learn to Punt Courses

    These comprise three sessions which we give you an all-round introduction to punting.
    Courses run on Sunday mornings at 9am.
    Each course is great value at only £50 (payable before the first session) – and we will deduct the £50 off the price of your first year’s membership if you decide to join.

    Your coaching will continue until both you and we feel you are competent. Then you will be free  (assuming you have joined the club) to take a punt out at any appropriate time (but not in the dark).

    Not particularly, but you do need to be able to step into and out of the boat below riverbank level. You need to be capable of swimming 50m in clothing. (You will NOT be asked to do this as part of the course)

    Any kind of sports kit and trainers. It’s best to avoid jeans or ‘hoodie’ sweatshirts that have a front pouch for your hands – the oar handles tend to get caught in them.

    The course is for adults only (18 or over) but there’s no upper age limit provided you are in good health. We have several members in their 70s who skiff regularly.

    For safety reasons the course may be postponed if there’s strong winds, fog or a fast stream. We’ll notify you as early as we can but due to the open-air sport it’s possible – but unlikely – that there may be late notice. If it’s not possible to rearrange the course we’ll refund your course fee.

    At our Clubhouse; Albany Reach, Queen’s Rd, Thames Ditton KT7 0QH

    Please fill in the form below.

      Gender: MaleFemale

      Can you swim 50m in light clothing?*: YesNo