Rowing

Key Information

Student rowing is a brilliant environment, whether you’ve been racing since school or are picking up an oar for the first time.

Alongside our fantastic partners in Scottish Rowing, SSS seeks to further develop the provision of the sport to students across Scotland, towards a vision of providing the sport to any student who wishes to participate, regardless of ability or previous experience.

There are eight affiliated boat clubs who compete across Scottish Rowing and BUCS events throughout the year, with categories for beginners, intermediates, and open/championship crews. Several clubs also take part in beach sprints and coastal rowing, a growing area of the sport ahead of its Olympic debut at LA 2028.

Sport Chair: Matt Simpson

Contact: ScotStuRowing@gmail.com

Governing body: Scottish Rowing

Linktree: ScotStuRowing

Victor Ludorum 25-26

This season the group introduced the Victor Ludorum, a season-long table ranking university clubs by participation and performance across four national events:

Upcoming Rowing Events

You might want to know…

British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) provide the main inter-university competition framework. Key events include BUCS Head (February), BUCS Regatta (May), and the BUCS Indoor Rowing Series. Visit BUCS Rowing for more.

In Scotland, the Scottish Spring Regatta at Strathclyde Park (April) includes the Scottish Student Rowing Championships, run in partnership with Scottish Rowing.

Meet your Sports Chair

Matthew Simpson

Matthew was appointed as Scottish Student Rowing Chair in August 2021, after graduating from the University of Dundee with a LLB in Law (Scots with French). Throughout his studies, Matthew played an integral role in the development of UoD’s Boat Club, which in turn fuelled his passion to continue with student rowing beyond graduation.

During his four years as a committee member, Matthew helped to achieve record-breaking three ‘Club of the Year’ accolades from the University of Dundee’s Sports Union in addition to numerous awards for his efforts in expanding the club’s digital and social presence. Under his leadership as Club Captain, Dundee won the Victor Ludorum for best student performance at the 2019 SS Rowing Indoor Champs – a first-time achievement for his club and University!

In recognition of his contributions to rowing at Dundee, he was awarded the James Boyle Shield for Volunteer of the Year in 2020. In taking on the SS Rowing Chair role, Matthew aims to put his experience and insights to use in order to further enrich the student rowing community in Scotland.

SS Rowing Sports Group Members

Matthew is supported by a brilliant group of volunteers:

• Vice Chair: Matthew Bell
• Development Officer: Isla Gilroy
• Communications Officer: Andrea Byrne
• Scottish Rowing Rep: Fiona Rennie

SSS News