Ever wonder how Lyon marries sport and tradition? It does so right here at the Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon. This is no ordinary sports club. It’s a Lyon institution with over 130 years of rowing history.
Founded in 1890 this club started with a group of young rebels. They playfully called themselves “la bande d’oies”. This translates to the “gang of geese”. The name came from the shape of their goose-foot-like beards.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon is one of Lyon’s oldest sporting associations. The club sits on the banks of the Saône. You will find it at 12 quai Clémenceau in Caluire-et-Cuire. The Saône provides rowers with a peaceful and magnificent playground. It is right at the city’s doorstep.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon is a top French club. It consistently ranks high in national competitions. It is currently fifth in France for competitive results. The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon has trained many international athletes. Hugo Boucheron is one of the most recent. He is a world and European champion.
This club offers a wide range of activities. These activities are for all ages and skill levels. You can choose competitive rowing or recreational rowing. There is also health-focused rowing para-rowing Avifit and corporate rowing. Rowing is a complete physiological sport. It is also a team sport a gliding sport and a nature sport.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon boasts 450 members. The club has three paid trainers and about twenty volunteer instructors. The CALyon continues to build its legacy on the banks of the Saône. For 130 years the club’s famous blue colors have been a sign of performance and community. These colors pay tribute to Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon has achieved significant milestones. In the 2021 Tokyo Olympics Matthieu Androdias and Hugo Boucheron won gold. They won in the double sculls event. Hugo Boucheron also secured a World Championship in 2018. He also won European Championships in 2018 and 2021.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon continues to make waves. The club offers various ways to get started with rowing. There are adult initiation courses. There is also a rowing school. Summer camps start from age 11. The club promotes rowing as an activity for everyone. It highlights the physical and mental benefits. Rowing improves cardiovascular health and coordination. It also fosters teamwork and lasting friendships.
The Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon also encourages combining rowing with education. The club instills important values in young rowers. These values include determination respect and fair play. These values help them succeed academically. Joining the Cercle de l’Aviron de Lyon is like joining a large family. It opens doors to clubs worldwide. The club also advises checking the Saône’s flow rate before going on the water. Outings are prohibited beyond 1200 m3/s.