SCCBC - Captains' Reports MT2006

Men's Boat Club

Malcolm Spencer, Men's Captain

Like the fluctuating and often frustrating levels the Isis has reached this term, the rowing has had both its ups and downs. Still thanks to the commitment and hard work of the committee and many senior members rough waters have been successfully navigated and Michaelmas can be viewed as a valuable term that will act as a stepping stone for the coming years rowing.

Beginning with a new senior coach and thankfully the same old boathouse, the focus was however on novice recruitment ready for Christ Church Regatta. My own duties as captain were nevertheless distracted by trials with OULRC and as a result my thanks must go out to the club and committee for rallying together to see a strong body of eager rowers were brought together and trained through the term. The last eight weeks were notable for the strong female recruitment SCCBC has enjoyed, with eventually two boats ready for Christ Church and many promising novices making the jump to senior training already. On the mens side numbers were matched and again to make up for the loss of senior rowers suffered this year many promising novices joined senior training. This ensured at least some water time was achieved with all the problems faced by the weather and novice coaching commitments.

Thus even with nearly two weeks of training lost to conditions on the Isis, by the time Christ Church quickly appeared four strong boats two mens and two womens - represented SCCBCs contribution to racing. That strength and commitment would be quickly demonstrated in the opening days of the regatta, yet the weather would once again prove greater competition to Catz success than their rival colleges as the regatta was cancelled before its proper completion. A real disappointment then, with conditions worsening to the extent that any hopes of a return to the river before the end of term or a return to competition at Wallingford Head dashed. As I write now in the middle of ninth week the red flag continues to fly over the Isis and one can only hope for much dryer conditions over the vacation!

Eyes must now look ahead to Hilary term and the prospect of a return to bumps racing. A weeks training is planned for 0th week before the distractions of the academic routine return. This should offer an excellent opportunity to build on all this terms novices have learnt and hopefully remind a few of the seniors what rowing in one of the top boat clubs in the university feels like!

Women's Boat Club

Bianca Rautenbach, Women's Captain

The womens rowing this term kicked off with a wonderful start, with a very large recruitment from the first years and visiting students. We realised that we would easily get two womens Christ Church boats, which is unusual and a great achievement. All novices were extremely enthusiastic and willing to learn. There were two weeks when we were unable to take the novices out due to bad weather and the girls never lost their determination and were eager to get back on the water as soon as possible.

Throughout the term the senior rowers kept up a regular training regime, with a few experienced rowers joining us we were able to get a competitive boat out and get some good time on the water, working hard at our technique and fitness.

Both the first and second Christ Church boats took part in the Isis Winter Leagues, this was wonderful racing experience for the girls and both boats did really well, with the first VIII getting the second fastest time of all the novice womens boats. After this success we eagerly anticipated Christ Church, and after a few more weeks of intense training our chance to shine approached.

The Womens 2nd VIII made us all very proud on the first day when they pulled together rowed to victory against Kebles 1st boat, they then automatically bypassed the second round and were standing in a great position when the weather ruined the fun. Sadly the first boat only managed to race one race, but it was a spectacular one, with them rowing like superstars and convincingly winning against Queens A.

It was a very successful term despite the rain, and we are all looking forward to next tern. I am especially excited at the prospect of having a second boat for Torpids, seeing them qualifying and working their way up the lower divisions. The first boat has a term of hard work ahead of them, to improve our position from 3rd on the river, will be challenging, but we are keeping both eyes fixed on the headship.