Trinity Term 2010 began in 0th week for many of our number. Keen to get back on the water, the women organised outings each day the week before term began. Theresa, our new cox, had to settle for bankriding us during the week as she waited patiently for her coxing licence to arrive! The weather was kind to us, making the atmosphere even more enjoyable. The only downside to this week of sun-filled rowing was the airspace closure, which kept a few of the women trapped in very luxurious sounding places!

After 0th week, we set the boats and immediately began our ambitious training schedule. Each week leading up to Eights, we completed five water outings per week, one erg and one day off. The training was tough but improvements were being made each week and we had a huge stock of biscuits and marshmallows in the boathouse to keep us going.

The Women's 1st Eight rowing over at the top of Div II on the Wednesday.

After five weeks of heavy training, the Womens 1st Eight were looking forward to putting all of these hours to the test. With only a few days till racing began, one of our crew suffered a bike-riding injury, which meant she would be unable to row with us during Summer Eights. Luckily we still had a couple of options left, and were very pleased to welcome Erica to the crew. Whilst she hadn't been rowing with us for very long, she was incredibly enthusiastic and it was a lot of fun having her join us. We are all very grateful to her for coming and filling the four seat.

Taxi for Mr Spencer! The cox of the Catz women's 2nd Eight conceding the bump having had a few steering issues off the start on the Friday (not actually his fault!) and ending up stuck in the bank.

We had not yet run out of bad luck; another of W1 became very ill close to the first day of racing, and it was a great shame that a member of W2 broke her ankle. Unfortunately we didn't have a very large pool of women to draw upon, but after some very lengthy (and rather panicked) conversations, we found a solution. Thank you very much to those people who helped us out by rowing or offering to row; we really wouldn't have been able to enter both our boats if we had not had people like you to give us a hand!

The 1st Eight began well, rowing over twice on the first day. However we fell three places during the following three days, and although this was not the result we wanted, we finished strongly on Saturday by holding of a speedy Keble crew until Boathouse Island, even though the race looked like it was going to be over a lot sooner! The 2nd Eight did extremely well, holding their position for the first two days. After being bumped on the third day, the crew were keen to take their revenge and only missed by a tiny amount.

The Women's 2nd Eight in their more normal 'rowing over' mode on the Saturday.

Although the results weren't as we hoped they would be, all of the women have put in an enormous amount of effort this term, and we have all improved greatly. I hope everyone has had a very enjoyable term and thank you again to everyone for helping me out during many panicked moments!

Catz leading off Women's Div II on the Thursday.

For once this year, the weather was beautiful, resulting in nothing but green flag. It was a shame the heavens decided to open for Saturday of Summer Eights, but even that couldn't hold back the men's good spirits.

After being bumped by Balliol in Torpids, the men's first boat returned with even more determination. Their composition looked in doubt at times, as we had to have the inclusion of both 2010 Blue Martin Walsh and their cox, Jack Plummer, approved in two separate Captains' Meetings. With the uncertainty aside, they knuckled down and trained on the water five times per week with Rachel.

The lower boats were lucky enough to have a large base of rowers to choose from, and with some very promising 2k erg test scores, crew selection was a very tough process. M2 were looking to improve upon their bump in Torpids. We entered the Spring Seconds Regatta at the end of Hilary, but with at least five hung-over faces in the boat from the previous night's crew-date, we'd rather forget that day. Knowing that we had a long mountain to climb, the training schedule was as intense as the firsts', with coaching from lightweight Gareth Morgan.

M3 were coached by captain-elect Martin Ramsdale, and were a very promising mix of seniors and novices that I had a great time coxing. We even had enough for a fourth, graduate-heavy boat organised by long-time contributor Rob Gerlach.

As per usual, M3 and M4 had to qualify for Eights. Sadly, luck was not on our side, as M4 lost a rower due to a prolific de-seating, and the thirds missed out on qualifying by five seconds because of two very large crabs. I am sure both crews enjoyed the experience, and hopefully they'll be back at the start of next year, keen to continue.

The Men's 2nd Eight stretching in the boathouse before their first race.

Soon after, Eights was upon us. For two days, M2 held off a very strong Hertford boat whilst attempting to chase Worcester. We got our inevitable bump on a falling Keble on Friday, affording us a free shot at Worcester on the Saturday. Playing the long game, we capitalised on their lack of stamina at Boathouse Island, before gaining overlap on the meadows. Sadly, we ran out of river. Still, up one for the week is a good result in a tough division (as the 12th highest second boat), and a far cry from the embarrassment of last year.

The Men's 1st Eight closing for the bump on Magdalen on the Friday.

This, however, was nothing compared to the mighty Firsts. Hertford bumped out ahead of them on day one, leaving them only a day's immunity against Wolfson. Yet they caught Teddy Hall on the Thursday sooner than Hertford did. Arch-rivals Magdalen were next up, and the crew took immense pleasure in righting a history of near-misses, sending them to face inevitable spoons. Saturday brought a bump against Balliol, yet again faster than Hertford managed. Up three to sixth on the river, the crew finally got the result they deserved.

I believe the men are now in a position where we can aim for all-time high positions on the river, and I wish Martin the best of luck and offer him all the help in the world to make this happen.

To Rachel and Jack, for the world-class coaching they brought to the first boat and beyond; to Ilsa this year's committee, for all the patience and assistance they have given me; to Anu, for reasons that need no mentioning; and to all the oarsmen, for all their enthusiasm and dedication: Thank you! You've all made a very demanding twelve months (not to mention 16 early mornings in just 4 weeks) undeniably worth it.

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.

A former Eton and GB Junior International cox, Jack kept his head down during his first term at Oxford, but eventually surfaced to take up the cox's seat of the Men's 1st VIII at the start of 2009, and this year also coxed the Women's 1st Torpid. Those who nominated Jack described him as 'the driving force behind M1', and 'committing himself passionately to College rowing'. Although not part of the Boat Club committee, 'he was instrumental in getting the crews together and in ensuring they train over both Xmas and Easter holidays, and at every step of the way has pushed for more training, more outings, and has aimed higher and higher.'

Jack Plummer (left) (obviously) receiving the Ben Sylvester Medal from Rowing Society Chairman, Kevin Skinner on the Saturday of Eights. I assume the Men's 1st Eight bump later that day gave Kevin an opportunity to open that bottle he's carrying in his pocket.

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