 Beresford initially sculled at Kensington Rowing Club in Hammersmith with some success, winning many trophies although failing in attempts at the Wingfield Sculls in 1902 and 1903 and in the London Cup at the Metropolitan Regatta.By 1904 he had decided that he had reached his limits as a single sculler and moved to Thames Rowing Club in order to row seriously in crew boats.He remained a member of Thames for the rest of his life.