After you’ve attended a full course at FBC, you will be invited to join the club and pay membership fees (£295 p.a. for 2023-24). Club sessions take place on almost every weekend morning starting at 9.30-10:00. You are asked to indicate online whether you are available for sessions. Crews are selected from those who attend. They are mixed crews based on competence and, to a lesser extent, aspiration.
There are development squads for those seeking to compete. These include some more focused coaching – again by volunteers – and training programmes are offered to match fitness with aspiration. Note that Falcon supports and accommodates competitive crews who are increasingly appearing at rowing events both local and distant. However, the Club’s focus is on inclusivity and enjoyment of this wonderful sport.
These club sessions are coached by volunteers who will help select crews and supervise. You may also be instructed in other useful skills such as coxing and bank riding – that is, shepherding (helping to supervise) a crew from the towpath.
Coaching and supervision is usually provided voluntarily and so does not constitute anything the club can guarantee to provide as a part of your membership. You must not rely on the club to provide a service for you. It is your club and it is run by its membership. A degree of self management will be encouraged to allow you to row independently, if you wish. Any contribution you can make to facilitating the rowing of others will be greatly appreciated.
Uniquely at FBC, you can also join the Touring Group who scull their specially designed touring boats to various destinations on the river for the pleasure of touring alone, for pub visits, or for picnics and the like.
You will also be provided with details of and advice about local clubs so that you can compare and contrast your experience and aspirations with what they have to offer. These would include Falcon, Oxford Academicals, City of Oxford RC and Abingdon RC.