Ladies' team bare allfor fundraising shoot

The team disrobed and created a black and white naked calendar to raise funds for a much-needed boat.

The volunteer-run club has to regularly fundraise to buy equipment and the money from the calendar will go towards a pairs boat.

Sarah Bareham, senior ladies team, said: “We were all nervous at the beginning, the photo of us on the beach was on Kingston Beach at 6am in the morning, it was surprisingly busy for 6am.

“When we first heard about the idea everyone was enthusiastic but me.

“We were all scared to start with but we gradually became more comfortable.

“We tried to do the shoots early in the morning when not many people were around but we did have a few vans beeping and I am told on one shoot they had to chase someone away.

“It was a great experience because it bonded us as a squad and in the end it was really all quite silly.”

The club experienced a boom in members after the 2012 London Olympics when everything went ‘a bit crazy’ and they received more than double the number of people enquiring about rowing.

The idea to strip down to the buff was the ‘brain child’ of Becky Povey, the captain’s sister.

Some clubs have done similar projects in previous years and the company Becky works for let her use their equipment to make and bind the calendars.

Captain Sarah Povey said: “When the idea first came up there were mixed reactions but I think we all agreed that we would try and make it as classy as we could and really celebrate all the different ages in the club and our different shapes and sizes.

“The first shot was the most difficult as everyone was really nervous but after running in the water naked everyone lost all their inhibitions and really enjoyed the day.

“I don’t think I have had so much fun in a long time.

“The best thing about coastal rowing and Shoreham Rowing Club is the people, the different ages and the team spirit and everyone’s commitment to the club.

“It’s the perfect sport for all ages and Shoreham’s has over 100 plus active members and the Adur is the perfect haven for rowing.”

Sarah Bareham was part of the senior ladies team that won the South Coast Championships which is the first time the Shoreham women’s team have ever won.

She said: “We have been historically successful but for the men, so for this we were geared up, excited and ready to win.”

Businesses in Shoreham have sponsored the team for their calendar so all the money raised will go straight towards the pairs boat which is a boat for two people to race in.

Sarah added: “I love competing. I am a very competitive person.

“I love being out on the water and part of a team and working towards something with others.

“The senior and junior ladies teams are doing so well at the moment and it is a very exciting time for us.”

To buy a calendar or for more information, email: [email protected] or go to the website www.shorehamrowingclub.co.uk/shoreham-rowing-club-shop/2014-ladies-naked-calendar/