Period practicalities for rowers, coaches and clubs

Clubs can take simple steps to support women and girls when they are on their period. Lebby Eyres shares suggestions from junior, senior and masters rowers

Teenage girls are dropping out of sport due to embarrassment over their periods, according to a Women in Sport survey carried out in 2022.

The survey found around seven in 10 teenage girls avoid being active on their period, with 73% citing pain, 62% fear of leakage and 45% feeling self-conscious as reasons for missing training.

But the issue does not only affect junior rowers – any woman can be anxious or embarrassment when they are on their period, and find it harder to train due to physical symptoms.

“Stomach cramps and heavy flow can make long sessions in a boat difficult and affect technique”

So what are the practical solutions? I carried out a small survey at a community rowing club to find out how female rowers feel about training when on their period, and how clubs can establish a practical period policy.