Filippi has established its reputation by supporting some of the most successful boat clubs and federations worldwide. Our World Rowing Championship and Olympic/Paralympic headlines read like a who’s who of international rowing, but at a local level, our support is most effective when leaning in with boat clubs looking to build remarkable and differentiated programmes. Nestled on the banks of the River Avon in Worcestershire and founded in 1863, Evesham Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the UK. At its height in the early 20th century, the club’s annual regatta, held every early May Bank Holiday weekend, was affectionately known as “The Henley of the Midlands.” Special trains were laid on from nearby Birmingham, where crowds gathered on tarpaulin-lined banks of the Avon, providing paying spectators with an uninterrupted view of the racing.
The club also sports an illustrious alumni list featuring Olympic champions Zac Purchase and Alex Gregory, and continues to produce top-tier talent such as this year’s home nations rowers Alex Repton and Ben Ferris, and Leah Saunders, who rowed at the GB age group level and now proudly represents Great Britain on the Beach Sprint and Coastal Team.
During the COVID-10 pandemic, though, the club nearly disappeared forever. The lockdowns halted rowing, social activity, and event income overnight. Costs, such as insurance, utilities, and building maintenance, continued to climb while the club’s income evaporated.
We spoke with Simon North, Evesham Rowing Club Captain, to tell the story of how Evesham rose again.
How challenging was the journey to return to ‘normal’ after the COVID-19 pandemic?
The joy of returning to the water and rowing together again was immense, reminding everyone of the sport’s power to restore both physical and mental well-being. Yet even as our boats relaunched, the financial pressures intensified. Escalating running costs, energy bills and changing economic headwinds still meant we faced turbulent waters.
Then, across 2023 and 2024, repeated flooding on the River Avon delivered another devastating blow. The club was forced to cancel its summer regatta and two Head races, events that typically provide crucial income to sustain club operations throughout the year.
Infrastructure and safety preparations had already been paid for, meaning thousands of pounds in sunk costs were lost overnight as floodwaters rose and racing became impossible.
This perfect storm, the aftermath of the pandemic and the floods of 2023/24, could have spelt the end for many clubs. But Evesham’s response was nothing short of extraordinary. With unwavering support from our members, the local community, and Wychavon District Council, we rallied, fundraised, and restructured.
Our 2025 season has been one of recovery and renewal, symbolised by this year’s triumphant Evesham Regatta, one of the busiest in many years, receiving brilliant feedback from visiting crews and spectators.
Today, after a lot of grit, teamwork and support from our members and volunteers, Evesham stands on firmer ground. We’re financially stable, socially vibrant, and stronger than ever, and we’re ready to begin the next chapter.
What are the club’s key strategic priorities, and where does it want to be in five years?
Two years ago, our primary goal was simple: survival. Today, we’re dreaming much bigger.
Excitingly, we have a once-in-a-generation opportunity to purchase the freehold of our original clubhouse building from the family that has rented it to us for over a hundred years. A testament to the commitment of our members and the support of the local community, we are 90% of the way towards meeting our target. Securing our home and providing a guaranteed future for our members and the local community is our focus. Anyone who wants to donate to help us get across the finish line can visit https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/buying-evesham-rowing-racquets-boathouse.
Our five-year vision is to:
- Cement Evesham’s reputation as a leading regional club that is built on its consistent performance at national level events, including Henley Royal Regatta, the British Rowing Club Championships, Head of the Rivers, Fours Head, and Pairs Head.
- Grow an inclusive community where rowers of every age, gender and ability feel equally welcome; from those seeking a relaxing paddle on the Avon to those chasing selection for GB squads.
- Strengthen partnerships with fellow regional clubs, particularly our great friends at Warwick, Stratford, Gloucester, and Pengwern. Sharing knowledge and competition to lift the regional standard as a whole.
The addition of new Filippi shells for our Open squads marks an exciting step forward in equipment quality and performance capability. These boats, tailored in club colours and already delivering victories, truly embody our intent and ambition, providing athletes of all levels with the tools to succeed.
Are there any notable results you would highlight from the recent past?
In 2025, Evesham entered its first Open Eight at the Head of the River Race (HORR) in many years, finishing a proud 165th from a lowly start number of 300, narrowly missing the Small Club Pennant only due to a paperwork quirk! We visited the Metropolitan and Marlow Regattas for the first time in 2025 and achieved encouraging results, followed by a narrowly missed qualification for The Wyfold Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta.
The momentum continued into the summer regatta season, where Evesham’s senior squads won across the circuit, taking victories at Evesham, Worcester, Monmouth, Burton, Stourport, Gloucester, and Ross. The Open eight and coxless four crews delivered standout performances at the British Rowing Club Championships, including an A-final for the eight and a B-final win for the coxless four.
Meanwhile, the Junior squad continues to flourish, taking wins at nearly every local event and developing a steady pipeline of talented athletes ready to compete nationally. The Masters crews, too, are enjoying renewed success on the head race circuit, with strong showings expected throughout the 2025/26 winter season.
How have Filippi supported Evesham in its growth over the past few years?
I’ve known Paul Willis, who runs things for Filippi in the UK, for many years, as we rowed at university together. We have long discussed my desire to purchase some of his boats, but we have never had the funds available to do so. Our well-publicised financial difficulties, as explained above, have meant this was beyond our reach.
However, when a generous donor offered to help us acquire some new equipment for our Open squad, given the success they had been having this year, the door opened to a collaboration with Filippi just when the club needed it.
I called Paul to see how he could help. He worked closely with the club to source both new and approved-used Filippi shells that perfectly matched our needs. His support went far beyond sales, providing flexible finance solutions, technical advice, and even arranging for the boats to be resprayed in Evesham’s distinctive club colours.
The result: two stunning new Filippi boats, a coxless four and a coxed four, both of which won their first races for the club and are quickly becoming our flagships for the Open squad’s success.
Filippi’s support has been exceptional. Paul and his team really understand our club and elite performance needs. Evesham really looks forward to continuing this partnership as we plan to expand and upgrade our fleet in the years ahead.
Why did you purchase Filippi shells, and what has been your experience with their service and support?
After extensive consultation with Evesham’s senior squads, the consensus was unanimous: Filippi offered the perfect balance of precision performance and durability. These are boats that inspire confidence. They are fast, responsive and beautiful to row.
Equally important has been the superb after-sales service and partnership support. From advice on rigging and setup to practical assistance with logistics and finishing details, Filippi’s attention to detail and customer care have been first-rate. It’s a partnership that embodies Evesham’s forward-thinking ethos: investing wisely in equipment that empowers athletes to perform at their very best. It’s a partnership we look forward to building on as Evesham continues to grow, strengthen our competitive edge and write the next chapter in our proud rowing story.
