ARC Cornish Pilot Gig

Aim

ARC is a community rowing club, which is improving the local 'blue' infrastructure. Can you help us purchase our own rowing boat?

"The times this past year or so when we have been bound to dry land have shown what a fantastic group of members we have. They have supported each other to keep a spirit of community alive and left no member behind. It has been wonderful to be back on the water and I can't wait to see how we grow and increase our community impact over the next year" Olivia - Club Chair

Our Vision

• Supporting an Active Local Community, by delivering improvements to our town’s 'blue infrastructure' to encourage healthy lifestyles and widen access to sports and leisure activities.
• Maintaining Maritime Vitality, by helping re-connect our community with the positive aspects of the water.

Who are we?

Affinity Rowing Club exists to promote participation in the amateur sport of rowing in the East Sussex Area. We are based on the west bank of Denton Island Marina, Newhaven, our beautiful (leased) Cornish Gig provides us with direct access to the River Ouse, Newhaven Harbour and Sussex Coastline. 

Why?

Despite Newhaven's many green and blue assets, the health of the population is a concern. There is a high prevalence of residents with a limiting long-term health problem or disability, and locally a higher than average estimated levels of inactivity.

Residents that don’t feel they belong / are dissatisfied with their local area have a lower than average score for mental well-being. Mental well-being directly impacts on the health of our community.”

These issues within our community have been exacerbated by Covid-19, with more than 1/3 of Newhaven residents suffer from loneliness – well above the district average.

What do we need help with?

We want to get more local residents out on the water learning how to row!  We have been working hard to make this a reality, but now we need to invest in our own rowing boat.  

Can you support this life changing work, by contributing to the cost of our own rowing boat?

This will allow us to locally support:

• Physical and Mental Wellbeing.  Rowing supports individuals physical well being and we have a club focus on the mental health and well being benefits of rowing – championed by our Club Coach (a Senior NHS Clinical Psychologist).

• Connecting to and protecting our environment.  We schedule nature rows in order to observe and appreciate the wildlife along our river and shoreline, in a non intrusive manner.  This up close exposure to marine animals in their natural environment allow our rowers to appreciate how richly diverse our local waterways are. This includes regular otter, seal and dolphin sightings, with seals being particularly fond of playing and being inquisitive around our boat.  We support citizen science by sharing details of dolphin sightings with the Sussex Dolphin Project and adopt a leave no trace policy, while also collecting flotsam from the water while rowing.  This has allowed our members to support local environmental charities, improve their personal connection to our environment and support efforts to highlight the challenges of climate change, through collaborative projects with the Sailboat Cargo Project.

• Personal development and growth.  Rowing on the River and along the Coastline takes us into our local, biodiverse environment and outside our normal comfort zone.  This provides a safe way for members to grow and develop, physically and mentally.

• Tackling social isolation.  COVID lockdowns have highlighted the socially isolated members of our community, particularly the elderly.  Rowing is a sport which is suitable for the less physically able and we are proud to provide activities which helps the socially isolated to integrate and participate, learning new skills and forming new social bonds.  For example, we provided, online masterclasses and talks, knots & hitches training and COVID secure opportunities to work together on maintenance of our current rowing boat.

• Remaining accessible to all.  Newhaven has a high level of unemployment (claimant count (8.5% JSA/Universal Credit) well above regional and national average) and an average household income 19% lower than 'Lewes District'.  Our membership fees are kept deliberately low so that they do not represent a significant obstacle to membership

What impact does Affinity Rowing Club mean for our community?

"To me rowing seemed like an elitist, expensive sport, something that other people did, not people like me, but ARC’s vision has been that it doesn’t have to be, and that anyone from any background can enjoy rowing.  I had never rowed in my life but thanks to ARC, I gave it a go and have never looked back. Mentally and physically it has been so beneficial, finding  a sport I love that gets me outdoors in all weathers, working as a team with people I would never ordinarily have met.  I have grown in confidence and really feel that if I can learn to do this in my forties, anything is possible!"  Christina - Rower

“I heard Nikki (club coach) talking about rowing on the local radio and thought I’d give it a try. After some immense personal challenges, I reflect back on my time with the club and can honestly say that Nikki and her radio announcement saved me x” Amanda - Rower

"I feel a real sense of pride to be part of this club. I love learning and ARC has given me the opportunity to train as a cox and to develop as a rower. There are so many ways to grow which keeps my mind, body and spirit healthy. During the lockdowns we weren’t able to row which was a significant loss for me. I am a psychotherapist and rowing helps me take care of my wellbeing. During this time as a group we supported each other in a variety of ways using social media to connect with exercise we were doing instead of rowing, through craft, and through ‘me time’. ARC is an amazing club and community resource." Pippa - Rower, Cox and Psychotherapist

"Since joining ARC I have fallen in love with this amazing sport. This is due to being part of a wonderful group of people, having a fabulous coach, together with the wonderful opportunity we have to access the river and sea. On a personal note, my aim was to get fitter, be part of a competitive crew, attend regattas and learn to be a cox. I have achieved all of these things thanks to this all inclusive club. I am on the committee as secretary and see first hand how much hard work goes on in the background. I am proud and feel privileged to be part of ARC." Richard - Rower, Cox and Club Secretary

"During Lockdown ARC made sure their members were all engaged with each other through various virtual challenges and groups. We all learned different things about and from each other and, more importantly, feelings of isolation were lessened." Tina - Rower

Donate Now - 

There are lots of options to suit all budgets and some great rewards created especially for you.

Unique personalised slate coasters

A trip up river or out to sea as a passenger in 'lazy bow'

A maiden voyage - an introduction to rowing in our traditional wooden rowing boats

   A chance for 4 people to experience a maiden voyage.

A corporate development day - learn to row, bond as a team and get out of the office and your comfort zone!

This project successfully funded on 3rd March 2022