University College London Boat Club
Encyclopedia
University College London Boat Club is one of University College London
's largest student societies, with over 100 formal members.
The club is highly successful and has a rich heritage and has a stated goal of each year sending as many crews as possible to compete at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta
. 2008 saw the revamping of the entire coaching structure and the launch of an ambitious 5 year plan which seeks to see UCLBC become one of the most formidable UK rowing clubs.
The club currently trains under the guidance of coaches, Tom Wilkinson (Leander and Team GB Oarsman, 4 Henley wins + 5th GB 8 2009 World Champs), Richard Ayling (Olympics 1976, ex - Olympic coach) and Alan "Woody" Sherman (Paralympic Bronze medal winning cox, Beijing 2008).
The club accepts both experienced and novice oarsmen and women (providing they are current students at University College London
). Teams train most of the time in the UCL gym on campus, and also frequently at the University of London boathouse in Chiswick. The club also organises a number of social events and balls throughout the year.
itself until around 1871.
It is believed that the club's first race was recorded on 24 May 1864 as a race between itself and Guy's RC. UCL does not appear in any rowing almanacs from around 1886 so it is believed that the sport may have enjoyed a brief period of popularity thanks to a number of enthusiasts at the College. The college begins to appear frequently in such almanacs from around 1921 and it is believed that this is the time at which the sport gained real popularity amongst the students. From around this time, UCL became one of the largest contributors to University of London Boat Club
eights.
The club enjoyed the successes of many frequent Allom Cup wins throughout the 1930s. After this date there are very few open regatta or head wins listed under the club's name as it experienced a brief period of inactivity during the inter-war period.
in 1933 when the College lost to Reading RC in the Thames Cup. Again the club raced in the 1950 Thames cup and lost but only after a fierce battle with Leeds University which was eventually lost by no more than a canvas. The report for this race reads as follows:
"UC&H started at 39, were not below 35 throughout and finished at 39. They led by ¼ length at the ¼ mile and by ½ length at the ½ mile. Leeds starting at 38 and settling to 33, closed up, took the lead after Fawley and had 1/3 length at the Mile"
Over the following few years rowing at UCL took a turn for the worst and contributions to University of London crews diminished significantly to the point at which only one or two 'University' men would make the cut each year. The club reported very few victories between 1950 and 1957 and only racked up one significant victory in the Walton Regatta. Furthermore the club's ranking in the Tideway Head fellow below 60th place; a dismal showing for one of the 'great' British university clubs. At the same time however University of London rowing
experienced a period of renaissance which saw them post their first Henley win in the 1961 Thames Cup.
Modest signs of recovery in College rowing were apparent by 1962. In this year UCL crews rowed to 52 place in the Tideway head and in 1965 managed to post a result of 43rd in the same race. This period of recovery was short lived as just one year later the club dived to 198th place in the Head.
made him an excellent coach for the club.
In 1973 the club's ladies presented an impressive spectacle at the Ladies' henley Regatta. This Henley performance represented a major step up in standards and in 1975 the club rose to 19th in the Tideway Head, reaching the best position since 1953 despite competing against stronger opposition.
In 1975 having already beaten Leander Club
a University College London
eight went on to set a new Fawley Record of 3 min 18 sec against Potomac Boat Club of the United States
in the semi-final of the Wyfold Cup. Despite ultimately winning, Potomac went on to lose the final.
In 1977, UCL's first and second eights finished 15th and 13th respectively in the Tideway Head; the club then went on to enter three crews in the 1978 Henley Royal Regatta
. These were all significant achievements for the club and truly represented the peak of Eaton's successes.
which was lost in the first heat.
The club had since its foundation been known as the 'University College and Hospitals Boat Club' or UC&H, this was finally changed in 1988 to the more up to date and accurate 'University College London Boat Club'. The ARA
club registration code for which is UCL.
The club's 1997 entry to Henley was slightly better though, with University College winning their first round heat of the Temple Cup by 1/3 length from Lady Margaret, but Harvard, a select crew, proved to be far too strong in the next round.
Since 1997 the club has experienced ups and downs but is now recognised throughout both London and the UK as a relatively successful club which is a match to be reckoned with at any major event.
2008–2009 saw the most successful year for the club yet - both the Women's 4+ and the Men's 8+ qualified for Henley, with the men making it through to the Thursday after beating University Of Reading "Easily". The Women's 8+ had a strong race at the Head, and the Men fielded 3 crews with the 1st 8 finishing 78th.
In 1997 UCL women achieved their highest position since their foundation in the Women's Head, rising to 44th place.
Women's Results 2009–2010
----
31 October 2009: UCL-RUMs Varsity, UL Boat house- 800m
Beat RUMs by 1½ lengths
21 November 2009: Cambridge Winter Head- 2.5 km
First boat won Student Novice category with 10.35
Second boat won Student Beginner's category with 11.47
Both crews won pennants for UCL
29 November 2009: Allom Cup, UL Boat House- 800m
First boat- beat Kings in qualifiers, RUMs in semifinals, and were knocked out by ICSM in the finals by 1/2 length
30 January 2010: Quintin Head, Chiswick- 4 km
First boat finished sixth in the WIM3 Category with a time of 12.36.5, 21st of 99 crews overall
Second boat finished third in the Novice category with a time of 13.54.8, 58th of 99 crews overall
28 February 2010: Hammersmith Women's and Junior Head- 4 km
First boat entered Novice category, finishing first with a time of 13.05.55, winning a pennant for UCL
13 March 2010: Women's Eights Head of the River Race- 7 km
First boat entered Student IM38+, finishing 92nd of 350 crews with a time of 20.50.5, 12th in category. Fastest crew of all London universities competing of any status.
Second boat entered Student Novice 8+, finishing 253rd with a time of 22.36.14, 28th fastest Novice crew competing.
's boathouse at Chiswick. UCL Boat Club aims to continue improving and rise to the top of the pile of both student rowing in London, and UCL sports clubs.
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
's largest student societies, with over 100 formal members.
The club is highly successful and has a rich heritage and has a stated goal of each year sending as many crews as possible to compete at the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
. 2008 saw the revamping of the entire coaching structure and the launch of an ambitious 5 year plan which seeks to see UCLBC become one of the most formidable UK rowing clubs.
The club currently trains under the guidance of coaches, Tom Wilkinson (Leander and Team GB Oarsman, 4 Henley wins + 5th GB 8 2009 World Champs), Richard Ayling (Olympics 1976, ex - Olympic coach) and Alan "Woody" Sherman (Paralympic Bronze medal winning cox, Beijing 2008).
The club accepts both experienced and novice oarsmen and women (providing they are current students at University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
). Teams train most of the time in the UCL gym on campus, and also frequently at the University of London boathouse in Chiswick. The club also organises a number of social events and balls throughout the year.
Early and Inter-war history of the Club
Founded in 1864 University College London BC was not actually registered as a separate and distinct entity from the CollegeUniversity College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
itself until around 1871.
It is believed that the club's first race was recorded on 24 May 1864 as a race between itself and Guy's RC. UCL does not appear in any rowing almanacs from around 1886 so it is believed that the sport may have enjoyed a brief period of popularity thanks to a number of enthusiasts at the College. The college begins to appear frequently in such almanacs from around 1921 and it is believed that this is the time at which the sport gained real popularity amongst the students. From around this time, UCL became one of the largest contributors to University of London Boat Club
University of London Boat Club
University of London Boat Club is the rowing club for the University of London, covering all the university's constituent Colleges . The club has its boat house on the River Thames in Chiswick, London, United Kingdom...
eights.
The club enjoyed the successes of many frequent Allom Cup wins throughout the 1930s. After this date there are very few open regatta or head wins listed under the club's name as it experienced a brief period of inactivity during the inter-war period.
First Henley appearance and subsequent decline
University College London made its own debut at Henley Royal RegattaHenley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
in 1933 when the College lost to Reading RC in the Thames Cup. Again the club raced in the 1950 Thames cup and lost but only after a fierce battle with Leeds University which was eventually lost by no more than a canvas. The report for this race reads as follows:
"UC&H started at 39, were not below 35 throughout and finished at 39. They led by ¼ length at the ¼ mile and by ½ length at the ½ mile. Leeds starting at 38 and settling to 33, closed up, took the lead after Fawley and had 1/3 length at the Mile"
Over the following few years rowing at UCL took a turn for the worst and contributions to University of London crews diminished significantly to the point at which only one or two 'University' men would make the cut each year. The club reported very few victories between 1950 and 1957 and only racked up one significant victory in the Walton Regatta. Furthermore the club's ranking in the Tideway Head fellow below 60th place; a dismal showing for one of the 'great' British university clubs. At the same time however University of London rowing
University of London Boat Club
University of London Boat Club is the rowing club for the University of London, covering all the university's constituent Colleges . The club has its boat house on the River Thames in Chiswick, London, United Kingdom...
experienced a period of renaissance which saw them post their first Henley win in the 1961 Thames Cup.
Modest signs of recovery in College rowing were apparent by 1962. In this year UCL crews rowed to 52 place in the Tideway head and in 1965 managed to post a result of 43rd in the same race. This period of recovery was short lived as just one year later the club dived to 198th place in the Head.
The club's golden age
With the arrival of Latymer Upper School's famed cox Jeff Eaton at the College the club's fortunes really turned around. Jeff, who had coxed the school's grand eight and Prince Phillip four went on to cox the College's 1972 first eight to victory in the novice division of the Men's Winter Eights. His experience with the Leander ClubLeander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
made him an excellent coach for the club.
In 1973 the club's ladies presented an impressive spectacle at the Ladies' henley Regatta. This Henley performance represented a major step up in standards and in 1975 the club rose to 19th in the Tideway Head, reaching the best position since 1953 despite competing against stronger opposition.
In 1975 having already beaten Leander Club
Leander Club
Leander Club, founded in 1818, is one of the oldest rowing clubs in the world. It is based in Remenham in the English county of Berkshire, adjoining Henley-on-Thames...
a University College London
University College London
University College London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and the oldest and largest constituent college of the federal University of London...
eight went on to set a new Fawley Record of 3 min 18 sec against Potomac Boat Club of the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in the semi-final of the Wyfold Cup. Despite ultimately winning, Potomac went on to lose the final.
In 1977, UCL's first and second eights finished 15th and 13th respectively in the Tideway Head; the club then went on to enter three crews in the 1978 Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
. These were all significant achievements for the club and truly represented the peak of Eaton's successes.
1980s to the present
Starting from the early 1980s the club experienced a steep decline in its fortunes. By 1981 UCL had dropped to 113 in the Tideway Head and had failed to qualify for both the Ladies' and Visitors' Cups at Henley. From the early 1980s up until 1996 there were very few entries to Henley Regatta; in 1991 the club did not even manage to enter a crew in the Tideway head. This was again the case in 1994. UCLBC finally made a comeback to the world of elite competitive club rowing in 1995 when they finally re-qualified for the Themple Cup at Henley Royal RegattaHenley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
which was lost in the first heat.
The club had since its foundation been known as the 'University College and Hospitals Boat Club' or UC&H, this was finally changed in 1988 to the more up to date and accurate 'University College London Boat Club'. The ARA
Amateur Rowing Association
British Rowing, formerly the Amateur Rowing Association , is the governing body in England for the sport of rowing. It is also responsible for the development and organisation of international rowing teams representing Great Britain...
club registration code for which is UCL.
The club's 1997 entry to Henley was slightly better though, with University College winning their first round heat of the Temple Cup by 1/3 length from Lady Margaret, but Harvard, a select crew, proved to be far too strong in the next round.
Since 1997 the club has experienced ups and downs but is now recognised throughout both London and the UK as a relatively successful club which is a match to be reckoned with at any major event.
2008–2009 saw the most successful year for the club yet - both the Women's 4+ and the Men's 8+ qualified for Henley, with the men making it through to the Thursday after beating University Of Reading "Easily". The Women's 8+ had a strong race at the Head, and the Men fielded 3 crews with the 1st 8 finishing 78th.
Women's Rowing at UCL
The Women's boat club seems to have been formed as a separate division since 1948. This date represents the earliest known record of the UCLWBC taking part in any major event when a coxed four from the club won the novice event at the Women's ARA Regatta.In 1997 UCL women achieved their highest position since their foundation in the Women's Head, rising to 44th place.
Women's Results 2009–2010
----
31 October 2009: UCL-RUMs Varsity, UL Boat house- 800m
Beat RUMs by 1½ lengths
21 November 2009: Cambridge Winter Head- 2.5 km
First boat won Student Novice category with 10.35
Second boat won Student Beginner's category with 11.47
Both crews won pennants for UCL
29 November 2009: Allom Cup, UL Boat House- 800m
First boat- beat Kings in qualifiers, RUMs in semifinals, and were knocked out by ICSM in the finals by 1/2 length
30 January 2010: Quintin Head, Chiswick- 4 km
First boat finished sixth in the WIM3 Category with a time of 12.36.5, 21st of 99 crews overall
Second boat finished third in the Novice category with a time of 13.54.8, 58th of 99 crews overall
28 February 2010: Hammersmith Women's and Junior Head- 4 km
First boat entered Novice category, finishing first with a time of 13.05.55, winning a pennant for UCL
13 March 2010: Women's Eights Head of the River Race- 7 km
First boat entered Student IM38+, finishing 92nd of 350 crews with a time of 20.50.5, 12th in category. Fastest crew of all London universities competing of any status.
Second boat entered Student Novice 8+, finishing 253rd with a time of 22.36.14, 28th fastest Novice crew competing.
Future of the club and rowing at University College London
In recent years the Club has expressed its desire to both expand membership of the Bentham Boat Club (a UCL alumni rowing club) and build a new dedicated boat house somewhere on the tideway which could provide a dedicated alternative to the current facilities used by the club at the University of London Boat ClubUniversity of London Boat Club
University of London Boat Club is the rowing club for the University of London, covering all the university's constituent Colleges . The club has its boat house on the River Thames in Chiswick, London, United Kingdom...
's boathouse at Chiswick. UCL Boat Club aims to continue improving and rise to the top of the pile of both student rowing in London, and UCL sports clubs.
See also
- Rowing on the River ThamesRowing on the River ThamesThe River Thames is one of the main rowing areas in England, with activity taking place on the Tideway and on the 45 separate lock reaches on the non tidal section. The river hosts two major rowing events The Boat Race and Henley Royal Regatta, and a large number of other regattas and long distance...
- University of London Boat ClubUniversity of London Boat ClubUniversity of London Boat Club is the rowing club for the University of London, covering all the university's constituent Colleges . The club has its boat house on the River Thames in Chiswick, London, United Kingdom...
- University rowing (UK)University rowing (UK)University rowing in the United Kingdom began when it was introduced to Oxford in the late 18th century. The first University Boat Race was held in 1829...
- UCL Union