Within two years rowing became a compulsory sport in the Lent Term of 1879, alongside cricket and rugby and it was agreed to stage bumping races on 25th March with two Divisions each of six boats.

Since then the club has produced many talented oarsmen and women who have competed internationally and at the Olympic Games.

A teacher named Desmond Hill who at the time was responsible for rowing at the School, invited teams from Shrewsbury, Bedford and Radley to race against St. Edwards in Godstow.

The Club has won The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta on five occasions.

In 2023, the Boat Club became the first co-educational school to win Gold in Championship events for both boys and girls in the same National School's Regatta, winning the Jim Mason Plate for Girls Coxed Fours[5] (for the second time) and the Queen Mother Challenge Cup for Boys Eights[6] (for the fourth time).