SCCRS Newsletter#2, Hilary Term, 2002

Newsletter#2, Hilary Term, 2002 (17th March)
[PDF version]

Women's Boat Club

From Emily Woodeson, women's coach:

'In the first couple of weeks of term, the largely inexperienced crew worked extremely hard and their efforts were being rewarded with a huge improvement in their boat moving ability. Then the rain came and the improvement was confined to the gym where they attacked the ergos with determination and saw great results. Tank sessions honed their technique, so when the river let up enough to allow us a brief respite the weekend before Torpids the crew were going really well.

'It is a great shame that after all their hard work they didn't get the opportunity to see how they fared against some more experienced opposition behind them - I like to think (but I am biased) that they had the courage and determination to have done really rather well. We shall never know, but at least we are still Head of the River.'

Men's Boat Club

From Matt Hilton, men's captain:

'Hilary term this year has again been hampered by the great British rainfall. All external regattas Catz Men's crews entered were cancelled, and Torpids was cancelled. Time on the water has been minimal. Far from ideal. However, there have been some positive things to come out of the past three months training. With all water sessions converted to time in the gym or on the slide ergs in the Catz boathouse, we have spent the best part of this term working on fitness. The result has been to produce a squad that is both strong and has good endurance. Technical work has been covered in the OUBC Rowing Tank, funded with help from the Rowing Society, and with further trips to Dorney Lake under the guidance of our coaches Marcus Munafo and Anu Dudhia.

'Next term, we hope to build on the physical strength that we have gained this term, and to develop both the first and second eights into two powerful crews for Summer Eights. Returning squad rowers will combine with the best of the Torpids crew to complete what we hope will be a very successful squad. I would like, as Captain, to thank the Rowing Society and all its members for their continued support this term, and for a cracking Torpids meal.'

The Rowing Society Dinner

Indeed, the 50-60 people who attended the Rowing Society Dinner on the Saturday of Torpids-that-wasn't managed to put on such a brave front that an outside observer probably wouldn't have realised that, deep down, they were all bitterly disappointed. Not by the end of the evening, at any rate. A special mention for the Master who, in the face of some intense barracking from the women's 1st VIII, and without regard to his own personal safety, gave a speech in which he single-handedly claimed the credit for their position as the Head of the River.

University Crews

Our five triallists have now all been officially 'selected' for University crews: Fiona Howarth (Osiris), Mike Bull (OULRC) and Will Mulholland (OULRC) will all be racing in the Henley Boat Races on 24th March; Angus Warner (Isis) and Matt Smith (OUBC) in the Tideway Boat Races on 30th March. However, in the last newsletter I overlooked the efforts of Tony Mitchell (M.78), who will be rowing in the Veterans' Boat Race on March 28th. He sent me this email, which I hope he won't mind my sharing:

'Ah yes the vets ...
'Rowing with old geezers is quite interesting. Best of the bunch is a stunningly fit 65 year old who was a Blue in 1822 or thereabouts, however our 3 man had a sore shoulder so couldn't carry the boat, our 7 man has a dodgy back and hamstrings so rows a bit short and our stroke man got so excited having the 'tab Blue Boat come up behind us that he pulled a back muscle in our 2 minute piece! And the filth [Tony rowed in Isis in 1982 during the Dan Topolski coaching era, hence the liberal use of pejorative terms such as 'tab' and 'filth' when referring to our Fenland brethren.] rowed past us when we were down to 6 men but luckily the press only reported their victory against London Rowing Club. So I spend more time in a physio role than rowing, but they keep asking me back to sit in the 6 seat.
'Apparently the 'tab vets could be a bit useful this year so I have no idea how good we are or if we stand any chance, which is strange as you usually have some confidence in the ability of your crew and the oppo. Still, I hear the lunch is awfully good ...
'But it was great to be in an VIII again, and there is so much room compared to a sculling boat. Room for your wellies, photos of the kids, mobile phones, drinks cabinet and I told my mother we could probably squeeze her in if the launch is a bit busy. In fact I'm surprised the BBC haven't smuggled a film crew on board, or maybe they have and they're stowed away below decks.
'The Vets race on Wednesday before the Boat Race, from Putney to Hammersmith 'cos the batteries in their pacemakers aren't guaranteed for longer than 10 mins.'

The Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr Award

Yesterday, in New York, our North American alumni had a reunion dinner. Craig Klafter (M.83) writes: [BFS Medal]

'On March 16, 2002, Sir Peter Williams announced the establishment of an award to commemorate the splendid and varied contributions made by Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr to the College. The award has been funded by the St Catherine's College (Oxford) Foundation. A Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr medal will be given annually to the member of the Boat Club who has most significantly contributed to enhancing the rowing life of St Catherine's College, Oxford. Names of winners will also be displayed on a plaque to be mounted in the boathouse club room. Nominations will be solicited from the Captains of Boats and will be judged by a committee of former College oarsmen. The medal, designed by Dana Edmondson, depicts a Catherine wheel comprised of oars on a background of water. At the ends of the oars are flames symbolizing warmth and illumination. At the center of the medal is the crest of St Catherine's College, Oxford.'
Right: Design for the Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr medal 'for enhancing the rowing life of St Catherine's College, Oxford'.

Summer Eights

Due to arrangements for the Anniversary Dinner (for those matriculating during the 1970's), the College will not be offering lunch or dinner for those attending the Saturday of Eights this year (25th May). Instead the Rowing Society will be arranging a lunch in the boathouse. Details and invitations to follow in the next newsletter.