SCCBC - Captains' Reports TT2005

Men's Boat Club

Darren Chadwick, Men's Captain

At the start of this year I knew that this year had the potential to be great or dismal. We had crashed out of the 1st division in Torpids last year, but were in the same position on the river (10th) in Eights as the 2001 crew, the highest position on the river that Catz has been since 1883. This year was one of potential and I am happy to say as a club we rose to the challenge.

In Torpids, we bumped St John's, Christ Church and Lincoln and came within inches of those other light blue pretenders, Wadham. We had returned to the first division with style and had everything to look forward to for Eights.

As it turned out, Summer Eights was not the easy change of gear we had hoped. Training as usual started with our 0th week training camp, but injuries, along with exams we to hamper us all term. We were to lose 11guys from the top two boat line-ups, including our three blues, but great progress was made from members of last term's lower boats, especially Phil Holme. His enthusiasm and dedication this term have been an inspiration to us all, and I would like to single him out as an example of what we expect from members of SCCBC. Well done.

Eights was never going to be easy. We had a smaller boat than we did in Torpids, but there was not the same spirit of greatness and anticipation that I had felt before Torpids. Training with exams looming, line-ups were changing almost constantly, and I think it was only the tenacity of our oarsmen that kept us working. Coate Water Regatta was the turning point in both rowing and morale. We won our first race by a good length, but whilst waiting for our second, the heavens opened and it rained and rained and rained some more! We had to bail out the boat with our socks. The rest of the regatta was cancelled, but we came away with much more of a team spirit and we had tasted the win. David Royse then stepped back into the squad, putting his finals on the line, and the change was complete. With days to go before eights, we were outwardly confident, but on the inside I think we all knew we had lot to do.

Eights: Wednesday. Men's 2nds were caught by the Worcester crew we had held off for the last 2 days of last eights. Men's 1st easily rowed over, with Lincoln being bumped by the gut by Wadham.

Thursday. Men's 2nds bumped Worcester back --- revenge bumps are very sweet indeed!

Men's 1st lined up for a race of massive rivalry, Wadham behind, and Hertford in front. We closed on Hertford to about half a length but they then pulled away again after the Gut. Meanwhile, Wadham were closing, and raced inches behind us for most of the course. A painful re-run of the last day of Torpids, but this time we were to come off better, staying ahead at the finish post

Friday: Having been bumped the previous day, Worcester were vying for blood, but took a while to catch Catz M2. M2 were punching above their weight, but were beginning to hold their own.

M1 we trying their luck. Wadham were being chased by a fast Univ crew, and so went off the start like a rocket. They closed quickly but could make no more ground as they were bumped by Univ, whilst only feet behind us. Catz rowed over, level for the week so far.

At this point can I share with you my deep dark secret. When talking to Steve about how we would do this Eights, I think we both agreed that staying in Div 1 would have been great. We were now level with M1, only down 1 with M2 (thanks to a little luck) and I was over the moon. Saturday would bring something a little bit special

Saturday. The sun was shining, the birds were singing and Andy Hodge, Chris Lewski and Colin Smith were returning from Dorney lake and the World cup. The Catz boathouse was packed to watch Andy win gold emphatically in the 4- and the scene was set. The boathouses were packed, and Catz men were on fire. M2 has Lincoln behind them but because of some lucky bumping all around were left to row over in clear water, without a boat to be seen. M1 boated among cheers and screams. The atmosphere was electric and you could feel the anticipation in the air. Hertford to catch, three blues in the boat and a chance to be the highest place Catz crew ever. The warm up was the first time we had rowed together, but it went well. It was great to row past Hertford and watch their faces drop when they saw our line-up. We caught Hertford just after Donny Bridge. We had a bit of a victory paddle past the other boathouses and returned to a pontoon of cheers. Andy was asked, `which was better? Gold or bump?' his answer `bump'.

This year has been a good one for Catz men. The M2 have turned their fortunes around, M1 have either bumped or rowed over every day in Eights or Torpids, going up 3 in Topids, and 1 in Eights. Both Peter Goult and I are rowing in the Blues development squad and Peter is hoping to trial next year. But more importantly, the club is going from strength to strength. The club spirit is blossoming and can only get better next year. It is with a great sense of optimism that I hand over to Peter, and wish him and his committee the very best of luck. Captaining a club such as this is not easy. It takes over every aspect of your life, but looking back on what we have accomplished, I am proud to say I had a part to play in the success, but more so, proud to have been part of this club, and everything it stands for.

Women's Boat Club

Lydia Hutchinson, Women's Captain

The term started with about half of our first and second Torpids returning for Eights. This crew started training together immediately whilst we set about recruiting a second boat. We found some excellent new and enthusiastic rowers and one of them, Michelle Edye, rowed for the first boat this term!

In preparation for Eights week, the first boat entered an away regatta at Coate Water. Sadly, the weather was terrible and the regatta was called off, but not before the entire crew had got soaked! The men were luckier as they actually managed to row in one race. Still, it was all good rowing experience.

In eights week both crews got bumped every day, with the first dropping into the second division. The firsts rowed well, but were ultimately up against far more experienced crews and the seconds had some unfortunate experiences with banks and missed starting strokes. Eights was still a good experience for all though and we all watched our mens firsts bump on Saturday with pride.

We also entered a four into Womens Henley. They started training in earnest after Eights was over. Sadly, they were drawn against last years winners in the first round and so were knocked out immediately. However, they rowed well and their race time was one of the fastest of the day (they only time the winner).

This term was not as successful as last term in terms of bumps, but we recruited a larger squad of keen rowers who, together with next years intake, should do well in Torpids 2006.