On March 18th, 1881, the Loughborough and District Boating Club was formed, making us the second oldest boat club in the country. Back then the first boats purchased were the princely sum of £12 for two four-oared boats.

By the year 1886 the membership had reached 40.  In 1892 it was found necessary to limit the number of members to 60.  Enthusiasm for rowing became so keen that a by-law was passed insisting that “every member taking out a club boat must return it before midnight on the day on which it is taken out”. We still have a rowing eight called ‘Back Before Midnight’ due to this.

In 1892 the borough arms were adopted as the badge, with dark blue and old gold, which remain the club colours to this day.

The club temporarily suspended activities during the war, owing to the number of members who joined the forces.  The first post war crew to bring honour to the club (J.Holmes, H.Harper, H.Aubrey and F. Hawker) won their maidens at Burton on Trent in 1922, and continued to row with marked success for several years. 

In the 1930s space was rented in the Old Mill at Zouch and was used as summer headquarters. Regattas were held on Saturdays only and they had a garden fete atmosphere with brass bands, beer tents and tea tents serving cream teas. Dress was white flannels and club blazers.

After the second world war boats were kept at the Plough Inn for the summer months. Bill Onions was elected captain and his main target was to restart the club. There were no fit boats to row initially and along with club members two German naval officers, who were both prisoners of war at the camp at Woodhouse, worked with skill and endeavour to make the boats row-able.

In 1964 the new clubhouse was opened at Zouch, near Hathern. At the start of the 1990s members of the club all pulled together and built an extra building which was added onto the current Boat House. This building now houses the gym, changing rooms and toilets.

 In 1999 saw the club host its first ever Head Race on the river Soar. The ‘Soar Head’ proved to be a success and is now firmly on the calendar. 

Today LBC continues to go from strength to strength, with an increasing membership, active Junior, Senior and Masters squads and a range of social activities

Membership TypeFee Before 31st May*Fee After 31st May*Instalment amount, number of instalments and total
Senior£317£352£47.50 x8 (£380)
Junior£238£264£35.50 x8 (£284)
Full-Year Student£238£264£35.50 x8 (£284)
Term-Time Student£176£176£38 x5 (£190)
Vacation-Only Student£117£117N/A
Coxing or Coaching**£0£0N/A
Non-Rowing (Social)£35£35N/A
Gym User£176£176N/A
Parent Supporter£0£0N/A
International£35£35N/A
Boat Storage ***Contact usContact usN/A