River Rapids

Gresham House is raising for both LYR and the British Heart Foundation - all monies raised on this page for LYR will be matched by Gresham House and donated to British Heart Foundation.

LYR was founded by Jim Downing in 2004 in the hope that young people across London would have access to an otherwise traditionally niche sport and in turn help the rowing community become a more diverse, more inclusive environment.

Originally named, ‘Row East London’, our first employee was hired in 2005. We went on to launch the National Junior Indoor Rowing Championships in 2007 and officially received charitable status in 2008. Today, LYR employs 10 full-time coaches, multiple part-time coaches and office staff to accommodate working with around 10,000 young people in schools, youth clubs and rowing clubs across London each year.

Our Mission

Encouraging disadvantaged young people to be active, and improve their physical, social and mental wellbeing

Helping develop crucial life skills, which are necessary for success in the classroom and the workplace

Enabling young people to participate in the unique sport - indoor and on-water rowing - across London, regardless of background, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability or ability

Nurturing determination and success in a new generation of rowers