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News 2026

What Adrian Did Next Apr 2026

On breaks from University, to keep his hand in, a young Adrian would come and row with a crew in which most were old enough to be his father. Once we got over the trauma of being made to feel so old, Adrian was made welcome and was able to offer his insight into the current thinking from well coached crews, with money and infrastructure. We in turn were able to show what was in store, much further down the road. 

Adrian has gone onto greatness and was part of the coxed 4 that won their class at the small boats Head of the River. He is 3rd from the left on the adjacent upper photo. Their winning time 19:23.5 which would have placed us 5th in the champ category.

Adrian: “I’ve also attached a picture of me at trials in November, I came 26th out of 52 in the men’s single and 5th on the 2k. I’ve got April trials in 2 weeks time in the double which I’m hoping will be good, if I perform well in that then I may have a shot at rowing for GB in the FISU university championship in Canada.

I definitely think that rowing at devils played a major role in my choice to pursue rowing for the forseeable, the atmosphere was really enjoyable and I felt really included throughout my time. If I have a bit of time this summer I’d love to come down and have a paddle with the guys!”

Going Public with our Crowdfunder Mar 2026

We’ve just launched our Crowdfunder – and we’d love your support! Our aim is to purchase at least two new (new to us) rowing boats to replace boats that were no longer usable and had to be scrapped at the end of last year. We have managed to secure a conditional grant award from Sport England. If we raise £4000, Sport England will add a grant of £4000 to help reach our target.
Your donations will help to unlock this funding and make the project happen. There are 40 rewards donated by amazing local businesses up for grabs, and some are already selling out 👀, so don’t miss your chance to get involved. We’ve raised over £2000 already! Every pledge helps us move one step closer to making this happen 💪
Check it out and support us here 👉  https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/devilselbow
Thank you – it means the world ❤️

Shouting Out To Our CrowdFunder Community Supporters Mar 2026

The start of this year has seen The Devils on a fund-raising mission, with the purpose of upgrading our fleet of boats. This is culminating in the crowdfunding campaign that was launched earlier in March.  See and Join The Campaign

However, a lot of support has already been given by businesses in the community.

Boots Long Eaton, started us off with a gift of items to sell. This sale came to £71.
Tesco Extra Long Eaton also donated a wonderful selection of items and this sale bought in £110.
The Co-op, College Street Long Eaton applied for a donation to head office on our behalf and we received £150.
Asda Long Eaton were keen to help, and started our raffle collection with two Easter baskets.
Bistro 21 at Lacemaker court kindly gave a cash donation of £20.
Spruce Interiors Draycott also gifted items for a sale which currently stands at £25.
Ora Designs Long Eaton, which sells New Zealand inspired handmade wooden gifts, sustainable home wears and eco-friendly vegan refills, donated a lovely trio of Minimal body products.
Lush Beauty Supplies Long Eaton donated hand creams.
Trowel Garden Centre were very generous with their gifts of two solar garden ornaments and a reed diffuser.
The Bakery Sawley, the family patisserie which has recently celebrated their 20 year anniversary, baked an amazing rowing themed cake, which tasted as good as it looked.
Blushing Blooms Long Eaton offered us a wonderful planter with beautiful mini carnations.
The Trent Lock and The Bell Sawley provided some bottles of wine for the raffle

Easter Eggstravaganza Mar 2026

How much can you fit in to one Saturday morning at Devil’s Elbow Rowing Club?  Well, the answer is quite a lot! It was a busy schedule.

Saturday 21st March was a busy morning. Bright and early saw the men’s squad on the water from 8.30am, followed by the women’s squad.10am was the start of our Easter Eggstravaganza in the clubhouse. Set up by Jo P, April and Di there was seasonal bunting, a table serving Hot Cross Buns, and a ‘Bring and Buy’ stall and of course an Easter Raffle. Most of the raffle prizes were kindly donated by local businesses (more to come on that). There were lots of lucky raffle winners, some winning twice, and Matt took one for the team when he won the amazing rowing themed cake donated by The Bakery, Sawley.

After the raffle it was cut up for everyone to have a share. It was great to see so many members taking part and raised £345 towards our Crowdfunding Campaign (more on that coming as well).Around 11.15pm rowers were heading back out to the water. We had Recreational squad rowing and then volunteers from all squads to help out with 3 new people in the explore boats for their taster session. 

Phew! Maybe we should up rest up for the rest of the weekend!

Rain Stops Play Feb 2026

The endless rain is causing issues for rowing clubs up and down the Trent – hence the training at Holme Pierrepont. The water levels are now high enough that the club itself inaccessible, certainly from the point of loading and pulling out the trailer. So far the water is not high enough to come up through the boathouse floor. It will be touch and go but it would save on cleaning up if it doesn’t. Fingers crossed.

Community Service Jan 2026

The Devils started off their 2026 recruiting drive at a community event in the gym hall at West Park Leisure Centre. It is important that those in Erewash know that they have a rowing club and can get out onto the river and experience its green space from a different viewpoint. Thanks to all those Devils that helped with the set up, took their turn on the display and helped clear up to get everything back to the boathouse. A good number of people were interested in the taster sessions we will be holding in the spring and they may even go on to take part in a ‘Learn to Row’ course. Owen, one of our new members, followed this pathway last year and you can about the experience below.’

Owen’s Account of Joining Devil’s Elbow in 2025

I first became aware of devils elbow rowing club when I notice a flyer for a taster session on the community notice board at the Heritage centre in Beeston. Coincidently I also ran into April there who explained what the club was like and the activity’s involved. At the time I was recovering from a long term illness and was looking for a new challenge in conjunction with a way the restrengthen my self again.

I still remember during the taster I couldn’t quite get my various limbs to do the necessary procedures in the correct order to move up stream, but I am very grateful that the club was, and continues to be, a very calm, supportive and cooperative environment.

Going from strength to strength, the learn to row experience was also brilliant, from the support of the other club members to the various training apparatus used to improve technique. In particular Jim’s land sculling and sweeping tools were a great help in visualising the required technique rather than flailing about on the water like a duck with broken wings. It must also be noted that the transition from learn to row to Recs was very smooth thanks to Ed’s stellar leadership. Ed, Andy and Murray really do deserve commendation for making the space more friendly than what it already is.

The various club social events held across the year should also be noted. In particular the inner club race with participation of both recreational and squad members was a great way of experiencing boat racing without pressure due to it friendly nature and encouraged me to want to experience this in a more traditional application.

Presently I’ve joined the men’s racing squad who really are a great bunch to be with. Their enthusiasm for the art of rowing is intoxicating and I am grateful for their patience and nurturing my ability to keep up with them. I am absolutely looking forward to the year ahead with them whether it be in the boat or supporting from the side-lines.

If I had to say the hardest part of rowing is getting up before dawn, but by the time your on the water, doing drills in the sun rise with heron, kingfishers and drowsy ducks fluttering about I would say it is more than worth it. I am so grateful to all the members of the club for being such a supportive and friendly environment and hope to enjoy new experiences with everyone moving forward.

Holme and Away Jan 2026 

The River Trent continues to be very high and fast which is not ideal for safe and productive training. Luckily we have the National Watersports Centre at Holme Pierrepont with its international standard rowing lake as its centrepiece. The trailer was loaded and both race squads were there bright and early on a Saturday morning – as was everyone else who trains on the Trent.  A mix from singles to 8s and the lesson learned from last year was that not everyone displayss the same level of manners which can make it interesting to navigate your way and implement your plan. 

Straight Lines – How hard can it be?