SCCRS Newsletter#2, Trinity Term, 2002

Newsletter#2, Trinity Term, 2002 (22nd June)
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Women's Boat Club

From Fiona Howarth, Women's Captain

Well, what a start to the term we had, with Emily Woodeson (one of the longest running and most valued members of the boat club) getting not just her first bump, but many, all in one day! The four, in fact, were unstoppable and got mini-blades in the Oxford City Bumps at the end of 0th week.

All three Eights this year went out and rowed extremely well. The third crew attempted to Row On on the Friday before, only to miss qualifying by 2 seconds; a brilliant achievement considering the experience in the crew. For the other two Eights, the successes of our excellent preceding Catz crews meant that we had a challenge on our hands. The 1st Eight held off Somerville for the first two days, however could not hold off the flying Purpleness that was Merton on the Friday. On Saturday, New College, up for blades, gave us a very good race. Unfortunately, they were just fast enough to bump us thirty strokes from the line. The 2nd Eight had not much luck being chased by the experienced Merton II on the first day, St Hugh's on the second, and then having equipment problems on the third. On the Saturday, they had a really good row, though, and got a bit further, but still could not hold off the Wadham 2nd crew.

In Oriel Regatta, a mostly 2nd VIII crew, came back to have a close race with Merton II. In the coxes' sculls, our star American cox and 2nd VIII rower, Lesley Stout, fared impressively well against a huge Univ bloke [against whom Matt Denmark won the final]. The Women's Open VIII came up against the Lightweight Blue Boat from March, but enjoyed the row in the sun. Half of this crew then jumped into the fastest college mixed VIII on the river, along with four powerful Catz men, only to lose in the semi-final to a composite crew that went on to win overall. It was a really fun day.

It was great term that was enjoyed by all. I have many people that I would like to thank, but that would take up another page! In brief, I would like to say a very big thank you to the Rowing Society for all their support; the key coaches: Bobby Gibson, Emily Woodeson, Jane Golley and Dan Robson; my committee for making my life easier: Alice Tedd, Helen Entwistle and Lesley Stout; and everyone else that helped out with coaching, coxing, rowing at some point. Most of all, I would like to thank the rowers, who made my term as captain very special. See you all next year for some revenge!

Men's Boat Club

From Simon Risoe, Men's Captain

After the disappointment of Torpids being cancelled due to the inevitable bad weather in Hilary term, the mens' boats were especially looking forward to competing in Summer Eights. The term began with success; a men's IV matching the women with 'blades' in the City Bumps. The 1st VIII continued to train in smaller boats for the first few weeks of term enabling us to make considerable improvements as individual oarsmen. Two external regattas were entered, at Wallingford and Bedford, with IV's reaching the semi-final and final in the S3 and novice categories at Bedford.

As Eights week arrived we were lucky enough to have several University oarsmen rowing for us; Angus Warner, Will Mulholland, and Matt Smith, their experience enhancing our speed and allowing the boat to make rapid advances in a short space of time. Although the net result was disappointing, bumped by S.E.H. and Hertford before bumping Hertford and rowing over on Saturday, going down one place overall, I still feel we can take much encouragement from the extent to which we came on as individuals and as a unit after what was a difficult year with poor weather and endless river restrictions.

Success in Eights was left to the men's 2nd VIII, coached by myself and Anu, who climbed two places overall after a spectacular overbump on Friday. These guys began the term as a very inexperienced boat, but made vast advances in their rowing under the efforts of Anu and their cox Dan Robson. I hope as many of them as possible will continue to row next year after what was an enjoyable term for their boat.

It just remains to thank the coaches, Marcus Munafo and Anu Dudhia, for their efforts, and to Matthew Denmark for his commitment and help with the novices earlier in the year despite having finals. I also wish Dan Robson and the new committee the best of luck for next year.

The Benjamin F. Sylvester Jr. Award

From Craig Klafter

On May 25, 2002, Emily Woodeson (M97) received the inaugural Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr. Award for enhancing the rowing life of St Catherine's College, Oxford. The Award Selection Committee noted,

'Emily Woodeson was not only an excellent Captain who got things together at what seemed to be a difficult time, she was very organised especially when dealing with the crews and with those not directly connected with the Boat Club. In particular, she did a great deal to improve the image of the Boat Club with the Dean and the SCR. She gave the impression of one being in charge and being in control.
'She is an excellent oarswoman who has successfully represented the University against Cambridge and has proved to be an excellent coach in Michaelmas and Hilary Terms when she virtually took over as Captain again to keep the Women's crews together. For this she claimed no more than a bicycle repair whereas the Rowing Society was paying a professional fee to a coach for the men.'

Miss Woodeson was honoured at a Rowing Society lunch held in the newly decorated clubroom of the Boathouse. Benjamin F. Sylvester, Jr. (M48) himself was present to place the medal around Miss Woodeson's neck.