Helping more young people get on the water in Brentford

A rent-free riverside base is helping Brentford Community Boathouse break down barriers to watersports for young people across Hounslow.

Published Mon 5 Oct 2026

Brentford Community Boathouse is using its base at 980 Great West Road to introduce more local young people to rowing, canoeing and kayaking.

Established by experienced sports coaches Paul and Miranda in 2024, the Boathouse provides free and subsidised activities for children and young people across Hounslow. Over the past year, the organisation has helped around 3,000 people get out on the water.

Its work is designed to address some of the barriers that prevent young people from taking part in sport. Club fees can be unaffordable for many families, while limited swimming experience and a fear of water can also make participation feel out of reach. Some of the children taking part have had very few opportunities to spend time in natural environments or try outdoor activities.

During the summer, the Boathouse delivered a programme funded by Hounslow Council, offering four hours of activity and a free meal. Children travelled from across the borough to take part, many of which attended daily and built strong relationships with the coaches and their peers.

Its current six-week RowFit programme combines fitness, technique and team-building sessions with practical activities on the water at weekends. The team is also working to increase the number of girls taking part in canoeing and kayaking, including through a free October half-term camp aimed at girls aged 10 to 14.

Hadley has provided Brentford Community Boathouse with a rent-free base at 980 Great West Road. The site offers access to a calm and accessible stretch of the River Brent, alongside space for equipment, changing facilities and land-based activities.

This support is helping the Boathouse operate throughout the year and create routes from introductory sessions into longer-term participation in sport. It is also part of our wider approach to opening up 980 Great West Road ahead of its redevelopment - bringing activity onto the site and creating opportunities for the local community to use and enjoy it now.

As Paul, co-founder of Brentford Community Boathouse, explained: “It isn’t enough simply to open the gates. You need activities that make a place truly open. With Hadley’s help, we have been able to make that happen.”