Monkton Combe School Boat Club - Saltford | UK Rowing Clubs | Row HQ

Monkton Combe School Boat Club is the rowing club for pupils of Monkton Combe School, established in 1878. It rows on the River Avon from two sites: an older boathouse below Dundas Aqueduct, used mainly for junior rowing, and the John Chaplin Boathouse at Saltford, opened in 2014 for the performance programme.

The Saltford Rowing Centre also hosts the school's summer rowing camps. These are open to children aged 13 to 18, including complete beginners and experienced rowers, with coaching intended to develop on-water skills at each level.

Monkton's recorded results include the Public Schools' Challenge Cup at Marlow Regatta in 1914, second place in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta in 1952 and the J18 women's eights title at Schools' Head in 1983. At Bristol Avon Regatta in 2019, school crews took four wins and four second places, including the J16 boys' open four and J18 boys' four.

Former pupils with Olympic rowing medals include 1948 medallists Alfred Mellows, Michael Lapage and Ran Laurie, Sydney 2000 champion Rowley Douglas, Beijing medallist Alex Partridge and two-time Olympic champion Steve Williams.

Old Monktonians row through Monkton Bluefriars Boat Club, founded in 1956 and now separately registered with British Rowing. Bluefriars organises the annual Small Boats Head at Saltford and an annual dinner at Leander Club.

The Monkton Bluefriars Charitable Trust supports rowing through facilities, equipment and financial help for pupils, former pupils and other students. The Charity Commission records its trust deed in 1996 and its remit to support crews and individuals training for or taking part in competition.