Unofficially Thames Rowing Club

Pauline has been appointed to chair our efforts for the 150th anniversary celebrations of the club in 2010.  She was Chairman of Thames from 2001 until April 2009.

Pauline started rowing in 1953 when she was 13, and in 1954 rowed in an England eight against a French crew in Compiegne. Telling the French that she was 18. This immediately made Pauline an Elite rower, and so she never raced at or won her novice status.

At 20, Pauline raced in the European Championships in a double. The first ever British women’s double to race at international standard. Again, this made her an elite sculler although she had had a chance to win a few races at sculling prior to this.

Despite giving up regular rowing for 17 years to raise her three children, Pauline has always managed to jump in an eight for the annual Women’s Eights Head of the River. In the past 54 years having missed maybe 3 races in all.

Pauline has always been involved in sport, and although a full time teacher for 27 years, she has always been involved in sporting activities for the pupils in her spare time, as well as Chairman of the London Borough of Harrow’s Sports Association. She established Putney High Schools’ Rowing Club in 1991, which has been based at Thames Rowing Club. Subsequently the Thames Juniors squad grew from the school club and includes many pupils from other schools, and now has a waiting list to join.

Pauline was the first female captain of Thames Rowing Club in 1990, remaining in the position until 1993. She was women’s squad captain from 1983-1986.  She was also the Captain of Alpha Womens Rowing Club 1962.  She was instrumental in raising the £1.15million for the new Thames gym building.

Pauline is in the ergo “Hall of Fame” for breaking the National and World Championship record times at 2000m.  She was World Indoor Rowing Champion in 2001 and 2003.

Amongst her many rowing achievements are:
- won Women’s Eights Head 1959
- won Women’s Scullers’ Head 1958
- won Silver Sculls ,Weybridge 1958
- won Fours Head Quad 1984
- won Fours Head Quad 1989
- Nat. Champs Quad 1983-1987 2 silver and 2 bronze medals
- World masters Rowing since 1981-2007: gold medals in eights, fours, pairs, doubles, quads, single, mixed double
- won Pairs Head Veteran pennants
- won Womens’ Eights Head Veteran Pennants
- Veteran Head, won the pennant every time entered