St. Catherine's College Rowing Society

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Dear Alumnus,

Report from Matt Denmark, Men's Captain

As a result of this year's flooding, our 2nd VIII was extremely inexperienced but battled heroically to maintain their position at the head of Division 4. They were eventually bumped by two crews with far more experience, but fought hard and demonstrated lots of potential for next year.

For the 1st VIII, six first-division bumps in eight bumps races represents the scale of the achievement. I end my captaincy with the 1st VIII at its highest position on the river in Eights since 1883 [sic], and at its equal highest ever position in Torpids. There are many people I'd like to thank for their help and support this year, too many to mention individually here, but special thanks go to Bobby Gibson, our coach who must take a lot of the credit for this year's success; Anu, for coaching, coxing and helping out all year; and to the Rowing Society, without whose generosity this would not have been possible. Finally, good luck to Matt Hilton, the new Men's Captain. Building on this year's success and climbing the first division yet further represents a considerable challenge for the coming year.

Those receiving the email reports during Eights will know that there was rather more to it than swiggly lines on bumps charts - especially on the Saturday. I don't know if Hertford are back on speaking terms with us yet. There's no report from the Women's Captain so, instead, I attach a recent photo (I'm sure Laura won't mind my selecting this particular photo because she knows it could easily have been oh so much worse). [Laura Goodsir]

The women's 2nd VIII also went down 2 places near the bottom of Division 3. The women's 1st VIII eventually sorted themselves out to bump New College and Wadham but, on the last day, never made much impression on a Pembroke Head crew full of University rowers. Still, they also finish at their equal highest position in Eights and highest ever position in Torpids, so, for the 1st VIIIs at least, I think we can consider progress to be 'satisfactory'. Reiterating earlier comments, I'm afraid you must all share some of the responsibility for this alarming state of affairs.

Apart from Eights, the only other action this term was a combined women's 1st/2nd VIII entry in 'College Eights' at Henley Women's Regatta last weekend. Catz had entered the coxed fours event on a couple of previous occasions but this was the first time we'd managed to get a full VIII together. Unfortunately, another 'first', that of actually winning a race at HWR, remains on the 'to do' list for a future Captain. Lyndsey Highton was also rowing at HWR for an OUWLRC crew, and for Henley Royal Regatta, Matt Smith should be rowing for OUBC while Matt Denmark and Michael Bull will be attempting to qualify with the Lightweights.

In the last newsletter I omitted to mention Ben Parry (M.95) rowing for Reading I in the Head of the River Race. I have a feeling he might be the only (male) alumnus since Matt Pinsent who's still pursuing any sort of rowing career - anyone want to tell me otherwise? We should also mention Tony Mitchell (M.78) who's rediscovered the pleasures of sculling on the Isis after an absence of almost twenty years and, dare I say, a presence of almost 20 lbs? (still faster than me, though). I think we can blame it on last year's Rowing Society paddle. So, finally, a plug for this year's event: 5pm, Saturday, 7th July. We'll take out as many boats as we need, go for a light paddle up and down the river, comment on how much smaller/further it seems since your day, and have a quick tour of the boathouse. Those of you moving on to the Gaudy, you should be back in College, showered and changed for the kick-off at 6.30pm. Contact me if you're interested:

Anu Dudhia (email: dudhia@atm.ox.ac.uk )

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