What to Give Rowers as a Gift

The best thing to give a rower as a gift is something practical that gets used every week: a good bottle, hand care, a warm layer or a book. Rowers already own a lot of odd kit, so if you’re unsure, ask a clubmate, a coach or a family member what they have. Skip club-branded clothing and anything sized for a boat unless you know exactly what they want.

Quick guide by budget

Budget	Ideas	Who it suits
Under about £20	Bottle, hand balm, finger tape, hat	Anyone
About £20 to £60	Technical top, kit bag, book, sunglasses	Regular rowers
Higher	Waterproof jacket, coaching session, erg accessories	Committed rowers
Biggest	Rowing machine, boat equipment	Check with them first

Prices vary, so use these bands as rough guides.

Three questions to ask first

1. Do they row on the water, on an erg or both? Boat kit is wasted on someone who only uses a machine.
2. Do they use club boats or own one? Club rowers need personal items, and owners can use tools and spares.
3. What has worn out? A tired bottle, bag or waterproof is the easiest gift to get right.

Small gifts

• A good water bottle. Rowers get through a lot of fluid, and a robust, leakproof bottle is always handy. Choose 750 ml or more for long sessions.
• A personalised mug or kit bag tag. Simple, and easy to tailor to their club or boat class.
• Hand care. Balm and a callus file suit hands that take a beating.
• Fabric finger tape or a quick-dry towel. Small items that vanish from bags.
• A rigger jigger. The double-ended 10 mm and 13 mm spanner is the most common tool in rowing. Ask whether they already own one, and add a lanyard so it doesn’t end up in the river.

Kit

• A technical top or base layer, in breathable fabric. Ask for their size and any club colours first.
• Sunglasses, a cap or a hat for time on the water. Our page on rowing glasses explains what to look for, including the safety marks that matter.
• A waterproof jacket. Check it allows free arm movement.
• A kit bag. Look for one with a wet compartment.
• Warm winter accessories. A hat, thin gloves or a neck warmer for cold mornings.

Our guide to what kit to wear for rowing shows what works in a boat. Avoid anything loose, because it catches on the handles.

Books and learning

A rowing book suits someone who likes to read. A few well-known titles:

• The Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown, about the US eight at the 1936 Olympics.
• Mind Over Water by Craig Lambert, reflections on sculling.
• A Lifetime in a Race by Matthew Pinsent, an autobiography.

A structured plan is a good gift for erg users, and our training plans give them something to follow from day one.

For erg users

• Accessories such as a mat, a seat pad or a heart rate strap. Our list of handy rowing machine accessories separates the useful from the optional.
• A cleaning kit. A soft cloth and a bottle of chain oil cover the basics. A RowErg’s chain needs oiling every 50 hours of use.
• A rowing machine. The big gift. A Concept2 RowErg costs around £990 (checked 30 Oct 2026). Read our best rowing machine guide before you buy, and check they have room for a 244 x 61 cm machine in use. If it’s a surprise, make sure they don’t already have a favourite model.

Online coaching and subscriptions

Some rowers like an online coaching platform or an app for indoor sessions. Check what their machine supports and read the subscription terms before you buy, especially the renewal date. Our guide to the best apps for indoor rowing sessions outlines the options.

Experiences

Entry to a regatta or head race, a coaching session or a day on the water can beat any object. Ask their club about dates, because race entries usually go through the club. A gift voucher for a rowing shop is a safe choice if you don’t know their kit.

Gifts for specific rowers

Rower	Good gift	Why
Complete beginner	Bottle, towel, kit bag	They’ll need these from week 1
Club rower	Waterproof, hand care, sunglasses	Used at every outing
Racer	Race entry, coaching session	Directly useful for their season
Home erg user	Plan, mat, accessories	Keeps them on the machine
Coach or cox	Warm jacket, flask, waterproof gloves	They stand still in the cold for hours

What to avoid

• Boat shoes. They depend on foot size and the stretcher fixings.
• Club kit, unless you know the design and the order dates.
• Anything fitted to a boat. Clubs often restrict what goes on shared boats, and owners have their own ideas.
• Blades. They need to match the boat’s rigging and the rower’s size.

Check sizes and what they already own, and keep the receipt.