By Lara Wainwright
It’s been said that Rowers are known for masochistically getting up early, eternally wearing Lycra, using vocabulary more inclined towards double-entendre than the regular person and talking about nothing but rowing and the gym.
Now then, University of York Boat Club may be seen frequently either; on The Ouse for weekday dawns, in multiple layers of skin-tight clothing, listening to their Cox discuss the avoidance of crabs (a faulty stroke in rowing), or creating a pool of sweat in the Tent at circuit training… But rest assured there is more to rowing.
We’re talking about the perfect opportunity to push you to the peak of physical condition. To acquire the skill of rowing that enables you to glide along the water in an apparently effortless manner any time of year, be it in snowy January or under the beating rays of the summer sun. Senior Women’s captain, Sophie Mottram summarises what UYBC is about, “The rowing club manages to achieve a perfect balance of professional athletic performance along with a fantastic social side.” What more could you ask for?
Both squads have enjoyed generous amounts of success over the last year, thanks to a massive enrolment of Novices following the increase of rowing awareness post-Beijing Olympics, to add to the wealth of experience of the senior squads. All of this aided by a step up on the coaching front and the generosity of the York Annual Fund in providing the Senior Men with a prime new boat.
The men’s squad put up valiant performances at BUCS Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta this summer, whilst sweeping all before them in local Head Races throughout the autumn and winter terms last year. The women’s squad duplicated said success throughout the winter, providing a worthy challenge to Durham’s Senior Women at this year’s BUCS Head of the River; this was followed by outstanding performances at Henley Women’s Regatta.
Where from here for UYBC? Having set such a high precedent last year, we can only aim higher. With once again a positive intake of new rowers at the Fresher’s Fair to add to the steadfast existing rowers, the wheels are in motion for another successful year. Head race season is beginning to get underway, with hopes of the top senior crews’ pot collecting locally, challenging our top rivals Durham and Newcastle University Boat Clubs. The winter shall also see trips to the Thames to represent York on the national stage for 4s Head, Women’s Head of the River and Head of the River, here hoping to finish in the top quarter of the crews’ respective categories. Looking further, crews look to challenge for the finals of BUCS Regatta this year, whilst once again humiliatingLancaster on their home turf with a win at Roses ’10.
With all this potential, it’s time to get training… It really should be common knowledge that rowers do more before 8.00am than most people do all day!