Girls That Row, or GTR as they are otherwise known, are an all female coastal rowing team from Jersey. What started out as a fun idea in late 2021 soon blossomed into something greater, a sporting movement aiming to spread awareness around coastal rowing, encouraging more women to participate in sports, particularly (you guessed it) rowing.
Last year marked GTR’s most decorated sporting year yet with a 5th position in the British Rowing Coastal Championships and 8th in the European Rowing Coastal Championships. And the successes are showing no sign of stopping after the team won a Gold medal at the Welsh Rowing Coastal Championships at the start of the 2023 season.
When we learnt about Salty Crew, a brand stocked at The Surfyard, we thought why not get the crew for a shoot and chat to Susan, Abbi, Sarah, Emma and Connie about their adventures so far.
Sarah wears Marine Blue Shore-break Cropped Muscle Tank £34
Emma wears White Tippet Tropic Crop Tee £38, Rosewood Seaworthy Utility Shorts £59
Connie wears White Alpha Visor £29, Athletic Heather Optical Tippet Long-sleeve Crop Tee £45, Black Signature Leggings
All Salty Crew, The Surfyard
Susan wears Yellow Refuge Dad Hat £29, Bone Kelp Forest Boyfriend Long-sleeve £49, Both Salty Crew, The Surfyar
Susan HuelinCoxswain57
“I started rowing in 1983 after my best friend Alre joined the club and encouraged me to sign up too. GTR is an opportunity to spend quality time with friends and family, and I find them constantly inspiring. My proudest rowing achievement to date has to be the gold medal at the Welsh coastal offshore rowing championships this year.”
Favorite rowing location:
South coast of Jersey, specifically around Ray Beauport and Portelet
Rowing in 3 words:
Sea, sun and challenging.
Emma Syvret Seat 1 32
My rowing started in 2016 after I was invited along to try it out with a group of friends from work (one of them being Sarah in GTR). We’re a close group of friends and family who push and encourage each other every day. Not only is it fun to spend time with these women but rowing together is my way of keeping fit and I am very grateful for them.”
Favourite row location:
On a sunny morning, rowing around St Aubin’s Fort with a quick stop for a swim. If racing, the Town to Gorey race is my favourite as you get the different views of the coast from a usual training session.
Rowing in 3 words:
Community, determination and fun.
Sarah wears Off White Beach Break Bralette £54, Off White Beach Break Swim Short £65, Both Salty Crew, The Surfyard
Sarah Earles Seat 2 /Team Captain, 35
I got into rowing in 2016 along with fellow member, Emma. At the time we worked together and were chatting to some friends about signing up luckily GTR host ‘have a go’ sessions so it was the perfect opportunity to get started. I never looked back! GTR is more than a rowing crew. It is a support system of amazing and strong women who back each other with everything, in and out of the rowing boat. Being part of the club has pushed me to work harder than ever before and it has given me the drive to achieve more.
Proudest rowing achievement: Representing Jersey at the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in Namibia in December 2022 where we were competing against teams from Australia, Canada and England to name a few.
Rowing in 3 words:
Challenging, exhilarating and rewarding.
Connie wears Rosewood Tandem Reversible Bikini Top £48, Rosewood Tandem Reversible Bottom £45, Black Desert Island Cover Up £74, All Salty Crew, The Surfyar
Connie Huelin Seat 3 27
After 5 years spent overseas, I returned to Jersey and was recruited by Emma and Susan to join GTW. After just one season we were competing at the European Championships which made me incredibly proud. And it was testament to how hard we’d been working together something we continue to do. We are always in #sharkmode!
Favourite row location:
San Sebastian, Spain.
Rowing in 3 words:
Empowering, exciting, saltyyyy!
Abbi wears Multi Refuge One Piece Rash-guard £76 ,Salty Crew, The Surfyard
Abbi Syvret Seat 4 / Stroke 29
I got into rowing relatively recently, in October 2021 after my sister, Emma encouraged me to give it a go. Coming 8th in the Euros has to be one of my proudest achievements. It was my first time as Stroke in a big competition so I felt like there was a lot of pressure to keep up. I remember looking up and down the start line and seeing a sea of amazing women ready to set off. Being able to hold off 7 boats and share the win with my fellow GTR team members was really one of the best highlights, so far. I’m also proud to have joint-won the Jersey Rowing Club ‘Best Newcomers’ trophy with fellow GTR member, Connie in 2022.
Favourite rowing location:
We do a lot of training and racing around St Aubins but when we get the chance to row around Portelet or Beauport it’s absolutely stunning! The closer you row to the shore, the more calm and tranquil it gets. These moments make you realise how lucky we are to be able to compete in such an incredible sport.
Rowing in 3 words:
Endurance, teamwork, precision.
