Newsletter#2, Michaelmas Term, 1997 (13th December)

Following the division of Boat Club responsibilities this term, we have three reports for this newsletter.

Helen Barnes, (by the way, that's her with the bike on p.34 of your 1997 St Catherine's Yearbook), the Captain of Lower Boats writes:

Despite wind and rain for almost every outing at the beginning of term, we had actually managed, by 4th week, to put together three women's and two men's novice boats. Under a new system, involving a team of committed coaches with Anu taking care of them, we asked potential novices to sign up for outings over the first few weeks, using experienced rowers as stern pairs, and then simply as boat sitters. We then created novice boats as rowers began to accumulate experience. Our other intention was to persuade most novice coxes to row for a few outings first - hence we had five effective (if a little eccentric) coxes by Regatta time.

So after all the early mornings and even video sessions, on a fateful Friday afternoon in 7th week, with a fast-rising stream, the remainder of Christ Church Regatta was cancelled, thus leaving two of our crews stranded - one of those without ever having raced. Rowing at Catz appeared doomed - I had visions of every single novice quitting on the spot. However, it seems that our work over the term paid off. Next term, we look set to have spectacular second and even third VIIIs for both the Men's and Women's Boat Clubs - literally dozens of this term's novices having decided that they want to continue.'

Unlike my predecessor, I won't begin by saying that this term's results have been mixed, but rather that they have been continually improving. For the first 3 weeks of term, the squad was training in 2 fours, both of which entered Autumn Fours. The senior IV came 13th out of 30 in the Four Oars Challenge (15th out of 49 overall), and the junior IV came 4th out of 7 in the Pazolt cup (23rd overall). After Autumn Fours, I restructured the squad, creating a four, and an eight. The four was entered into the novice category of Kingston Small Boats Head, on what promised to be a cold, wet, windy day. In fact the weather was almost kind to us, even becoming sunny during the warm-up, but this was short-lived as the heavens opened during the 30 minute queue to the start. Despite freezing fingers, and a boat full of water, we managed a respectable 3rd out of 13, beating St John's by 8 seconds. By the time Nephthys Regatta came along, both boats were looking much steadier. The four, entered into the Open Fours, was first up with a race against Balliol, who were comfortably dispatched by over 2 lengths. The next race, against Exeter, proved to be a much harder competition, both crews within a canvas for virtually the whole course. Nail-biting to the last, Catz finally pulled slightly ahead past OUBC, and held the tenuous lead to the finish. The final, which should have been an equally close race, was sadly marred by a coxing error from St John's, which led to a blade clash. From there, Catz comfortably pulled home. The senior eight also looked very strong, easily beating Regents Park in the first round, and performing a similar feat against what looked to be a fairly strong Pembroke boat. Unfortunately they were beaten by 2-3 lengths in the final by a St Peter's crew, who were probably their entire 1st Torpid. Let's hope this success bodes well for Torpids next term.

The women's senior squad has had a busy term, with many of the experienced rowers giving up time to coach the novices as well as rowing. The biggest success was winning the Senior VIII's competition in Nephthys Regatta by beating Hertford and then St Peter's in the final. Overall that was a very good day for the college, although with hindsight, entering the novice crews would have been a good idea (perhaps we should have consulted the long range weather forecast). Other events this term included Autumn IV's in which we were the only college to muster up 2 women's crews, and came 4th and 10th out of 11 entries. Ten days after that we took one IV to Kingston Head race and came 5th in the novice competition, getting very cold and wet in the process. Why does it always rain in Kingston? Things for next term are looking bright, with many ex-1st VIII and blade winning 2nd VIII rowers competing for places in the 1st Torpid. Thanks to our efforts (or probably despite) the novices are still keen, so there should be 3 crews (at least) next term. Finally, good luck to Sarah Jones and Heather Booth who are still with OUWBC and hoping to cox and row (respectively) their way to blues.

Anu Dudhia (e-mail: dudhia@atm.ox.ac.uk)

Mark Neave died on 24th July this year, after a lengthy battle against cancer. He was 29 years old. I have asked Neil Chugani to speak for those of us who knew him:

I will always remember with great affection the times we shared at St. Catherine's from 1987 to 1991, and in particular the year we spent trying to run the Boat Club together as Captain and Vice-Captain of Boats between 1988 and 1989. I am truly thankful that during that year we had the opportunity to forge a close friendship; one which has left an indelible impression on me.

Mark was a loyal and dedicated member of the Boat Club and he made a huge contribution to its success. He was a talented oarsman, and was a stalwart of the 1st VIII in 1989 and 1991, helping the 1989 crew in particular to some notable achievements, including 7th place on the river in Torpids - the second highest place ever reached by a St Catherine's mens crew.

Mark managed to combine his commitment to rowing with academic excellence, and he graduated with a first in 1991. But he was also a modest, self-effacing and warm-hearted man, and as I realise now, had a maturity as an undergraduate beyond his years.

Tragically, Mark was so very undeserving of such an untimely death. He worked hard, played hard, and loved and respected life. He will be fondly remembered and sorely missed by his crew mates and friends. To those of us who had the privilege of knowing him, his life was an example to us.

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