UCBC newsletter TT23
I write to you as a successful season of college rowing draws to a close. Our outgoing committee have done an outstanding job across the year, leading to many successes. Including an increased external racing presence and a few additions to our collection of silverware!
Trinity term has brought with it glorious sunshine and plenty of water time for all our boats in the build up to Summer Eights, which itself was an exhilarating week. The first and second eights enjoyed a trip to Bedford in early May for some invaluable racing practice ahead of bumps week, then honed in on technique with video analysis coaching sessions and plenty of quality miles accrued on the water. This clearly paid off as our men’s crews continued climbing the bumps charts and our women’s crews fought valiantly to remain in the top few places for first and second eights respectively. Our third boats had a thoroughly enjoyable week and show a promising level of talent for future years of bumps racing in higher crews!
Post Summer Eights, our top crews continued training hard in preparation for Henley, with a W1 4+ entered into Henley Women’s and a M1 composite 8+ entered into Henley Royal. I’m sure you’ll enjoy reading full race reports from our captains!
The Martlet Club has also had an increased racing presence throughout the year, with a very fashionable M4 crew racing at Summer Eights, and a Univ-Martlet composite racing at both WEHORR and City Bumps (and placing very competitively in both). Pippa Biggs continued the Martlet Club success, qualifying for Henley Women’s Regatta in the Aspirational 1x category! As the Martlet club expands its numbers, if you are interested in racing again at any level, or even just returning to Oxford for a paddle, then I would recommend getting in touch at martletclubuniv@gmail.com!
One of the key highlights of the year has been enjoying a full social calendar with no restrictions. In particular, blazers were adorned recently by our top eights and committee for a delightful lunch at the Leander Club, kindly hosted by Ron Jordan, accompanied by many members of the 1965 crew. It was a spectacular day, with sunshine looking over the Thames, and brilliant company. As always, it’s a pleasure to welcome back UCBC alumni for dinners throughout the year and I’d encourage you to make a visit and relive some of your glorious rowing memories with us!
As the Summer holidays begin, we are looking forward to our new tradition of an annual camping trip to Llandaff, taking an extended fleet of boats for some short 1km and 500m races and hopefully returning home with a few new pots!
We will also be looking forward to the year ahead, building on breadth and depth for our squad and working towards a possible shot at double headship at torpids. It will certainly be an exciting year, and I look forward to writing to you again in the near future.
Charlie Kniebe-Evans, UCBC President 2022-23
From the Men's Captain
From the Women's Co-Captains
From the Women's Vice-Captains
From the Men's Vice-Captains
From the Social Secretary
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View or download the UCBC TT23 newsletter as the original PDF.
Published: 26 June 2023