In this Issue ...

Results

Malcolm Spencer

Malcolm Spencer, Men's Captain

Like the fluctuating and often frustrating levels the Isis has reached this term, the rowing has had both its ups and downs. Still, thanks to the commitment and hard work of the committee and many senior members, rough waters have been successfully navigated and Michaelmas can be viewed as a valuable term that will act as a stepping stone for the coming year's rowing.

Beginning with a new senior coach and, thankfully, the same old boathouse, the focus was however on novice recruitment ready for Christ Church Regatta. My own duties as captain were nevertheless distracted by trials with OULRC and as a result my thanks must go out to the club and committee for rallying together to see a strong body of eager rowers were brought together and trained through the term. The last eight weeks were notable for the strong female recruitment SCCBC has enjoyed, with eventually two boats ready for Christ Church and many promising novices making the jump to senior training already. On the men's side numbers were matched and again, to make up for the loss of senior rowers suffered this year, many promising novices joined senior training. This ensured at least some water time was achieved with all the problems faced by the weather and novice coaching commitments.

Thus, even with nearly two weeks of training lost to conditions on the Isis, by the time Christ Church quickly appeared four strong boats - two men's and two women's - represented SCCBC's contribution to racing. That strength and commitment would be quickly demonstrated in the opening days of the regatta, yet the weather would once again prove greater competition to Catz success than their rival colleges as the regatta was cancelled before its proper completion. A real disappointment then, with conditions worsening to the extent that any hopes of a return to the river before the end of term or a return to competition at Wallingford Head dashed. As I write now in the middle of ninth week the red flag continues to fly over the Isis and one can only hope for much dryer conditions over the vacation!

Bianca Rautenbach

Bianca Rautenbach, Women's Captain

The women's rowing this term kicked off with a wonderful start, with a very large recruitment from the first years and visiting students. We realised that we would easily get two women's Christ Church boats, which is unusual and a great achievement. All novices were extremely enthusiastic and willing to learn. There were two weeks when we were unable to take the novices out due to bad weather and the girls never lost their determination and were eager to get back on the water as soon as possible.

Throughout the term the senior rowers kept up a regular training regime, with a few experienced rowers joining us we were able to get a competitive boat out and get some good time on the water, working hard at our technique and fitness.

Both the first and second Christ Church boats took part in the Isis Winter Leagues, this was wonderful racing experience for the girls and both boats did really well, with the first VIII getting the second fastest time of all the novice women's boats. After this success we eagerly anticipated Christ Church, and after a few more weeks of intense training our chance to shine approached.

The Women's 2nd VIII made us all very proud on the first day when they pulled together rowed to victory against Keble's 1st boat, they then automatically bypassed the second round and were standing in a great position when the weather ruined the fun. Sadly the first boat only managed to race one race, but it was a spectacular one, with them rowing like superstars and convincingly winning against Queen's A.

It was a very successful term despite the rain, and we are all looking forward to next tern. I am especially excited at the prospect of having a second boat for Torpids, seeing them qualifying and working their way up the lower divisions. The first boat has a term of hard work ahead of them, to improve our position from 3rd on the river, will be challenging, but we are keeping both eyes fixed on the headship.

RS Newsletter no.2, Michaelmas Term, 1986

'Our main problem, as far as squad rowing was concerned, is that we seem to be of the wrong nationality, i.e., not American. We turned up for the first training session to be greeted by a group of large American imports all of whom seem to have been more or less guaranteed places in the Blue Boat. We were told, along with many other 'true' Oxford oarsmen, that there was very little chance of any of us even being looked at by the senior squad coaches ... it does seem as if OUBC have got a 'win at any price' attitude - whether this is good for Oxford rowing in the long term, only time will tell.'

Captain's Diary, Michaelmas Term, 1986

'Well, at least we've got something going this week. Tuesday, 7.15 am, moi turns up at the river and, yes, 7 turn up. So six sent out on the river and one goes for a run. On Thursday 7 again turn up, so super hero here decides to coach from the bow seat - bad idea. Do people in Oxford have a brain? I tell the crew to balance the boat by lifting their hands, so what do they do? All hold up their arms in the air! The mysterious eighth man apparently turned up at the punt house believing it to be the boathouse - Aaargh!'

RS Newsletter no.1, Trinity Term, 1987

Cap'n Chas, the only man I know who can understand the whole of 'East-Enders' without the CEEFAX subtitles, went looking for cheap blazers around 'ackney over the Easter vacation, only to find that his source had left the country (closely pursued by the tax-man). He did, however, come up with someone who could get us a trailer cheap (no doubt fallen off the back of a minibus). The latest price I was quoted for a blazer from Castell's was £90 plus (clunk!) Someone out there must know a better source, even done legally?

News from Alumni

This year's OUBC Trials Race was held on 7th December, in squally conditions, over the Boat Race course. Croatian Ante Kusurin, a new arrival at Catz this year, stroked Sickle to a 4 length victory over Hammer, coxed by Nick Brodie, who has coxed Isis for the past two years. Kusurin was in the Croatian men's double scull which finished 8th in this year's World Championships, bringing the total of current, ex- and pre-Catz men competing at Dorney to 5.

The Men's Lightweights held their Trials Race over the Henley course yesterday afternoon. Malcolm Spencer and Alex Zdravkovic were both rowing in Crime, who were up against Punishment. Setting aside the social implications of the outcome, we can take some satisfaction in the criminals having the upper hand on this occasion.

In the next newsletter there will be details for Torpids and the Rowing Society Dinner (to which we'd like to extend a special invitation to those of you who rowed in 1982 and 1957), a look at the Boat Club of 30 years ago, when Tristram Sutton and Christine Maggs were Captains. News from alumni of other years is always welcome.

28 Feb - 3 Mar 2007	Torpids
3 Mar 2007	RS AGM & Dinner
1 Apr 2007	Henley Boat Races
7 Apr 2007	The Boat Race
23-26 May 2007	Eights
26 May 2007	Boathouse Lunch