Vesta Rowing Club - Putney | UK Rowing Clubs | Row HQ

Vesta Rowing Club is an active rowing club on the Thames at Putney. Its clubhouse is on the Embankment, and the club combines coached competitive rowing with novice development, social activity and long-term membership.

Vesta was founded in 1870. The club's history recounts a tradition that its name came from the first boat to pass under London Bridge while the founders debated what to call it. Its first home was Salters Boathouse on the River Wandle; Vesta moved to Unity Boathouse in 1875 and to its present clubhouse in 1890.

The club first entered an open race in 1876, when J. Whaley also gave it its first open win in the Junior Sculls at Windsor and Eton Regatta. Harry Blackstaff won the Diamond Sculls and Wingfield Sculls in 1906, then won Olympic sculling gold at Henley in 1908.

Vesta reports more than 400 members, divided roughly evenly between active and honorary non-rowing members. Its rowing structure includes novice, intermediate, senior men's and senior women's squads, alongside social rowers and a masters group. The elected volunteer committee manages the boathouse, fleet, bar, finances and rowing.

Complete beginners can take a six-week summer learn-to-row course with three sessions each week on land and the Thames. Participants may then enter the novice squad, while experienced rowers can apply directly and discuss the squad suited to their background.

Recent club results include a Henley Royal Regatta semi-final in 2022, a Lester Trophy win at Henley Women's Regatta, consecutive Copas Cup final appearances and wins at Wallingford, Poplar and Seville International regattas.

Vesta organises two major races: the Vesta Scullers' Head in September and the Vesta International Veterans' Head in March. Members support these events through racing or duties including timing, marshalling and launch driving.