Varese Training Camp - Spring 2026

In late April, 32 athletes, two coaches and two coxes headed to Lake Varese in Northern Italy for our annual training camp, hosted by the wonderful Canottieri Varese club. The squad was a mix of Core Men, Core Women and Novice Women — a blend that brought energy, experience and great team spirit.

We arrived on Wednesday 22nd April and were straight onto the water before sunset, the Alps providing a rather fine backdrop. A friendly rivalry with Kingston Rowing Club, who happened to be staying in the same hotel, added a little extra edge to proceedings.

The training structure found its rhythm quickly — technical work and distance outings on Thursday and Friday, race pieces on Saturday, and a relaxed mixed-crew session to round things off on Sunday. Weather was exceptional: clear skies and temperatures up to 26°C by the final day, making post-training visits to the Lido bar feel very well-earned.

A big thank you to the coaches, coxes, organisers and Canottieri Varese for making it all happen. The 2027 trip is already on the radar.

A further report from Ale Carabelli:

From 22nd–26th April, 34 athletes from the Core and Development squads swapped the Cam for the calm waters of Lake Varese — and it proved to be a very good decision.

The idea for the camp began last summer after a chance meeting in Italy with Giacomo Gentili, Olympic gold medallist and fellow rowing enthusiast. After hearing about City’s ambitions to organise a training camp in Italy, he immediately offered to help and connected us with Pierpaolo Frattini of Canottieri Varese. What began as a casual conversation quickly became an unforgettable week on one of Europe’s best rowing lakes.

Beauty = Lake + Mountains + Light (and a well-balanced boat helps too)

With the spectacular backdrop of Monte Rosa and over 10km of flat water, Varese offered near-perfect rowing conditions. The lake itself added something special to every outing: elegant villas scattered along the shoreline, a small island resting quietly in the middle of the water, and a church perched dramatically on the cliffs above.

Days quickly found their rhythm. Mornings began with stretching and mobility sessions before long outings across glassy water, while afternoons brought more kilometres, more technical work, and plenty of variety between singles, pairs, doubles, fours, and eights.

P = F·v (More power = more speed. Simple in theory. Less simple after three sessions.)

Mike Champion and Hugh Begley guided the camp throughout, offering feedback, encouragement, and occasional reminders that rowing is in fact supposed to involve legs.

Off the water, the group embraced an equally serious commitment to Italian cuisine. Lunches at the Canottieri boathouse featured endless pasta, lasagna, tomatoes, and good coffee, while evenings naturally drifted toward local pizzerias where €8 somehow still buys happiness.

Recovery = Pizza + Sleep (peer-reviewed by exhausted rowers)

More importantly, the week built something bigger than mileage. Across squads friendships grew stronger, confidence improved, and the atmosphere throughout the camp reflected what makes City special:

City = Family

A huge thank you to Steve Grange for helping organise such a successful trip, and to our hosts in Varese for making us feel so welcome. The camp combined hard training, beautiful scenery, excellent food, and even better company. Most of all, it reminded us that rowing is at its best when shared with others.

Memories = (Time, People, Place)

Roll on the next one 🚣‍♂️