In this Issue ...

Bruce Mitchell, Chairman of the Society

Crews for Torpids are still uncertain due to the recent high stream conditions. However, the river became rowable just in time for our first crews to remind themselves how it all works before dashing off to Bedford Head (results above). All being well, Torpids will run from Wed-Sat, 3rd-6th March with divisions racing every 30 minutes from noon until 5pm (same times each day). There are four Catz crews in the fixed divisions.

Torpids 2004: Wednesday Start Times
Crew	Div	Bungline	Time
Men's 1st Torpid	I	9	5:00pm
Women's 1st Torpid	I	2	4:30pm
Women's 2nd Torpid	III	11	2:30pm
Men's 2nd Torpid	V	4	1:00pm

In 1979 Women's divisions in bumps were still a relatively new concept, only made practical by 5 formerly male colleges (including St Catherine's) having recently decided to go 'mixed'. Together with the 5 women's colleges, this doubled the number of colleges capable of putting out women's crews. 1979 was only the second year of women's rowing in Torpids, for which Catz boated two crews (the 2nd crew actually starting ahead of the 1st crew on one day). That was also the last year of the rather complicated '2-lane' Torpids system: with odd-numbered crews and even-numbered splitting into two lanes off the start and attempting to bump the crew in their lane. Interesting idea, but with many coxes struggling to steer through the Gut let alone keep to their lane, carnage was fairly routine.

Although not quite in the forefront of the feminist movement in Oxford rowing, the 1979 Summer Eights programme lists a certain J. Winterson as rowing in the no.4 seat of our women's 3rd Eight.

From the 1979 St Catherine's Year

The Ladies decided to forego their own chance of success by demonstrating just how many things can go wrong in a race; stopping dead in the Gut, causing a multiple pile-up, was a real coup, but it resulted in their being placed lower than the ladies' seconds who had an exciting year too. Unfortunately the boat refused to steer left, so that the Ladies' seconds were forced into a foray amongst the houseboats, and later into a head-on collision with a Christ Church boat which was sitting at the raft. Nevertheless this was our most successful Torpid boat since it actually stayed level (in the water and on paper).

A few individuals stand out from the common herd: Karen Troy, the ladies Captain, rowed for the Blues Lightweight crew; Sally Lincoln coxed the ladies Blues at Henley; and Jane Griffiths seemed assured of her Blue, but unfortunately had to withdraw from training due to back trouble.

Rob Hughes' reign of terror as Captain of Boats was probably largely responsible for the fleet of nine boats which took to the water in Eights; and his virtuoso performance at a JCR meeting in Trinity resulted in the commissioning of a new purpose-built Ladies' shell [Trespassers W.].

Cox Wanted for Vets Head (21 March)

From Steve Thompson (M.72)

Dear Anu,

You might remember that you invited myself and Rowland Hill to an allumni event at St Catherine's College when we enjoyed a row on the Isis. Well, I am still at it! Furthermore, we have assembled a strong Veterans' eight this year at Trafford Rowing Club in south Manchester. Our only problem is that our cox is a 12 year old boy and the Tideway, we feel, will be too much for him. Do you think that anyone at St Catherine's would enjoy the experience? There would be a good lunch in it.

Coming Up ...

21 Feb 2004	Burway Head
22 Feb 2004	Isis Winter League 'E'
27 Feb 2004	Rowing On
1 Mar 2004	Deadline for replies for RS Dinner
3-6 Mar 2004	Torpids
6 Mar 2004	Rowing Society Dinner & AGM
21 Mar 2004	Henley Boat Races
28 Mar 2004	The Boat Race
26-29 May 2004	Eights