British Rowers Flaunt Their Masculinity To Fight Homophobia (See Trailer)
It may be winter but these young British rowers are sizzling with their latest naked photoshoot for a fight against homophobia. The cold winter is not enough to halt these men to flaunt their fabulous abs and well-toned physique for their fifth consecutive nude calendar, which features Warwick Rowers Club in all their naked glory.
The calendar photoshoot is a fund-raising event where some of the proceeds will go to the club's benefactor the Sports Allies, an anti-homophobia organization. Recently formed with Educational Action Challenging Homophobia (EACH), the organization is a program created by Warwick Rowing "dedicated to challenging homophobia among young people... who are being bullied or in a crisis about their sexual identity to call a national helpline."
These elite athletes also use the Sports Allies platform to express their message at school and also create encouraging web videos to promote their cause. The fifth edition of the calendar is a must-buy as it goes with a tag line, "Bigger, Better and even More Daring than Before!"
For months, the team is building up hype on Facebook for the calendar as it aims to distribute the calendar to a wider audience. "It's our fifth calendar, and most people say it's our best yet. We'll let you be the judge! (But we're quietly confident you're going to love it.)," Warwick said.
"The rowers are predominantly straight men who have welcomed and embraced the fantastic support they have had from the gay community for their fundraising efforts," Warwick explained. "Sport Allies is their way of honoring that support and giving something back."
Photographed by Angus Malcolm, the Warwick Rowing Club calendar had its debut in 2009 with an initial plan to sell it on campus. But because of its overwhelming demand the calendar is now being distributed to over four countries based on last year's sold-out sales.
The University of Warwick Boat Club was founded in 1966 and has grown to be a British rowing powerhouse with over 100 members. The club caters for all rowers, from novices to experienced oarsman. With its annual calendar, these young men are striving hard to maintain the status of the club and gain more victories for the upcoming competitions.