University College Oxford Boat Club

University College Oxford Boat Club (commonly abbreviated to UCBC) is the rowing club for all members of University College Oxford. UCBC has had a recent run of successes, notably in the Women's divisions with the Women's 1st VIII winning Blades in Torpids 2008 and the 2nd VIII winning Blades in both Torpids and Summer Eights 2008. [ [http://www.ourcs.org.uk/racing/eights/2008/index Oxford University Rowing Clubs Summer Eights 2008] ]

History

The idea of inter collegiate racing was pioneered by Brasenose College Boat Club and Jesus College Boat Club in 1815. In 1827 it was decided to form a University College eight. The origins of UCBC can be attributed to one student, William Roper, who supervised the raising of £100 to build a boat and select a crew. Whilst the crew did not compete in 1829 or 1832-8 it has done so almost continuously until the present day, first going Head of the River in 1841. By the mid 1850s the Boat Club was enjoying a centrality to college life that it has not lost. The mid nineteenth century was a period of great success for UCBC being Head of the River in 1869-71, 1874-5 and 1877-8. One undergraduate Charles Cree recorded the celebrations in 1871:

"Univ. Head in the Eights. Univ, though Balliol came near them were never in danger...The Eight supped with Snell and the rest of us joined them after supper, and had a glorious evening. Singing and shouting as well as our voices would let us - Everything went off well no one being drunk."cite book|last=Darwall-Smith|first=Robin|title=A History of University College Oxford| isbn=978-0-19-928429-0|publisher=Oxford University Press|year=2008|pages=346-7, 378-380]

Univ was most recently Head of the River in 1990/1991.

The Boathouse

UCBC's Boathouse has become an iconic and instantly recognisable architectural statement in and around Oxford. The original 19th century boathouse, designed by John Oldrid Scott, succumbed to arson in 1999. After eight years, a new boathouse was finished, designed by Belsize Architects. The Boathouse has been awarded a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) prize. [ [http://www.oxfordmail.net/news/headlines/display.var.2325153.0.new_college_boathouse_scoops_design_award.php Oxford Mail "New college boathouse scoops design award"] ] The £2.7million structure has enjoyed a very favourable reception in the architectural world. Yuli Toh's article describes the structure as not just a boathouse, but "a grandstand of the first order" arguing that it represents a new age in rowing. [ [http://www.t-sa.co.uk/press_clipping.php?id=45&title=Yuli%20Toh%20reviews%20Belsize%20Architects'%20Oxford%20boathouse%20in%20%20Architecture%20Today Toh Shimazaki Architecture News Archive] ]

Equipment

UCBC benefits from having one of the most modern fleets on the Isis.Fact|date=August 2008

The men's side of the boat club uses the following shells:

The women's side of the Boat Club uses the following shells:

The Erg Room is equipped with 8 Model D Concept 2 Ergs and streching/exercise mats, along with changing rooms for crews.

Notable Alumni of UCBC

*Colin Moynihan, Olympic Silver Medallist Moscow 1980 and Chairman of the British Olympic Committee.
*Acer Nethercott, Olympic Silver Medallist, Cox GB 8+, Beijing 2008
*Mark Evans, Olympic Gold Medallist, Canadian 8+, Los Angeles 1984

ocial Events

UCBC organises several social events per term, ranging from crew dates through to formal dinners held to celebrate both Torpids and Eights.

Dinosaurs and Cassandrians

Univ members who have rowed or coxed all four days of Summer Eights as part of the 1st VIII are entitled to become a member of the Dinosaurs and Cassandrians.

References