The Boat Club Report 1993-94

It was hard not to take it personally. Experienced oarsmen were deserting like rats from a sinking ship, and the Boat Club was in serious danger of running aground. However, due to the dedication and perseverance of innumerable people, this turned into an exceptionally enjoyable and successful year.

As usual in Michaelmas Term, senior rowing took a back seat as the few remaining senior rowers concentrated on teaching the novices. This is a difficult job at the best of times, but this year an extra degree of excitement was added by the presence of a ton of scaffolding blocking half the river on a blind corner. Men's B boat spent many a happy hour of an early morning blocking the river entirely at this point in a spectacularly successful attempt to avoid excessive exercise. As an antidote to this, the novices were taken to London for a day to experience rowing on a rather roomier piece of river. The trip was a great success in improving both technique and morale. In the end-of-term races, the Ladies' Novice A boat was outstanding and finished runners- up to Jesus in both the Fairbairns Cup and Clare Regatta. The Men's A boat also performed very well in both events, maintaining our traditional good record in novice rowing. The other novice crews suffered from being restricted (by University Boat Club regulations) to only two outings per week, but performed admirably nevertheless - particularly the Men's C crew who worked well together to beat the B crew in the Fairbairns.

In the senior events, the Men's 1st IV surprised everyone by actually winning a race, while the committed Ladies IV upheld Churchill's legendary prowess in women's rowing with some excellent results. The Men's Senior Fairbairns VIII made up for what they lacked in speed, with their undisputed style and elegance, not to mention good-looks!

After Christmas, the promise of Bumps saw a fresh injection of commitment and enthusiasm. At the mid-term cocktail party, pairing enjoyed an unprecedented popularity. Eyewitnesses reported several successful bumps in the lower divisions! The Lent Bumps saw the Ladies 1st VIII achieve their first bump for five years or more and so put an emphatic end to their drop from the top. Meanwhile the inexpericnced Men's 1st VIII (only one of whom had previously rowed at this level) was hit by illness, equipment failure and, unfortunately, by three other crews! However, their spirit was quite exceptional and never have I known a Men's 1st VIII so willing to learn and lacking in arrogance.

As usual, May Bumps saw the return of the fair-weather rowers which resulted in a dramatic improvement in the quality of all crews. In the regattas leading up to Bumps, Churchill rowers won an impressive nineteen pots between them. After a few difficult weeks in the middle of term, the Men's 1st VIII eventually stopped worrying about technique and, with an impressive display of power, moved up two places in Bumps to ninth - their highest ever position. Starting from fifth position, it was always going to be difficult for the Ladies 1st VIII to move up and they needed all their skill, determination and a little bit of luck to hold their position on the river and deny Queens' their blades. Meanwhile, our strongest ever Ladies 2nd VIII were unlucky to miss getting blades, and the inexperienced Men's 2nd VIII dropped four places and will be out for revenge next year!

After Bumps the Men's 1st VIII went from strength to strength, and qualified for Henley Royal Regatta with a superb row in the qualifying races. In the Regatta itself they were knocked out in the first round by eventual semi-finalists Nottingham Unviersity, but as every loser will tell you, it's the taking part which counts...

Other highlights of the year include the four day Easter training camp for the men's Boat Club in York, where the seeds were sown for a very successful term's rowing. In May term a barbecue was held at which a new restricted VIII was named after the late Ken Macrae by his widow. Restricted VIIIs have a keel which makes them easier to row for novices, and it is hoped that this boat will come into its own when teaching beginners to row in years to come.

Congratulations go to Jodi del Giorno, who trialled and was selected for Blondie. Commiserations to Dan Maynard, whose trialling was plagued with illness, and who had to withdraw when on the brink of selection for a very important Goldie crew.

Finally, thanks must go to all our helpers and coaches; to Jack Miller and Andrew Tristram for their support; and to Jim and Chris the boatmen. Without them it wouldn't have been half as much fun!