Homerton College Boat Club

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Homerton College Boat Club
Homerton Boat Club logo.jpg
Homerton College Boat Club Blade.svg
Location Cambridge, England
Coordinates 52°12′41.28″N0°7′48.78″E / 52.2114667°N 0.1302167°E / 52.2114667; 0.1302167
Home water River Cam
Founded1977
Membership Homerton College, Cambridge
Affiliations British Rowing CUCBC
Website homerton.cam.ac.uk/homerton-life/sports/homerton-college-boat-club-hcbc

Homerton College Boat Club (HCBC) is the rowing club for members of Homerton College, University of Cambridge. HCBC colours are navy blue with white trim, and HCBC boats can be identified by white blades with a single navy blue stripe towards the tip of the spoon.

Contents

The Club exists to provide the opportunity for members of Homerton College to row, cox, coach and compete in various rowing events within and outside of Cambridge. The Club is open to all members of the College, and most members of HCBC have no prior rowing experience before joining. Further, many have rowed for the first time with HCBC and later gone on to row for the University. The competitive focus each year is to maintain and improve the Club's positions in May, and Lent, Bumps. Wider aims are to increase participation in rowing, to allow members to challenge themselves, test their physical and mental limits, to learn how to develop and improve a team, rowing as crew to the maximum of the collective potential, harnessing those gold-dust experiences of synergy, and above all to have fun and build friendships whilst doing so.

In 2019, HCBC moved into a new boathouse, co-funded by and shared with City of Cambridge Rowing Club, and St Mary's School, Cambridge.

New HCBC Boathouse City-of-Cambridge-Rowing-Club-from-across-the-river.jpg
New HCBC Boathouse

History

1980s and 1990s: Consistently High Quality W1 Crews

Homerton College Boat Club first competed in the women's Lent and May Bumps in 1978, four years after the women's bumps divisions commenced in the Mays, and two years after women's racing began in the Lents. The highest position attained to date by either HCBC a Women's or Men's crew was achieved by HCBC Women's 1st VIII (W1) reaching second in the Lents Women's First Division in 1986. [1] In the May Bumps, the highest position attained by either a Women's or Men's crew was 5th, achieved by W1 in the Women's First Division in 1985. Throughout this period of sustained success in the 1980s and 1990s many Homerton College Boat Club women won University colours in rowing for CUWBC, under the guidance of veteran GB coaches Roger Silk and Ron Needs.

2000s and 2010s: The M1 Surge from Division 5 to Division 1

In the mid-90s, a Men's crew was formed and started working their way through the lower divisions of both Lent and May bumps. In the space of 8 years, the Men's 1st VIII (M1) boat rose over 3 whole divisions to the top of Division 3 in 2002. This included going up an astonishing 21 places between 2000 and 2001, moving from P10 in Division 4 to P6 in Division 3 with a run that included 6 bumps (including one as the sandwich boat), an overbump, a double overbump and a triple overbump. As mentioned below, rising 13 places in a single set of bumps racing in 2001 remains an Oxbridge record.

After a few years battling around the top of Division 3, the Men's 1st VIII crew raced twice on the final day of May Bumps 2007, first bumping up in the Division 3 race to move to the head of the Division, and again 90 minutes later, this time starting at the bottom of Division 2 (aka rowing as the 'sandwich boat', a gruelling ask at the best of times). Their second race of the day ended by bumping on Plough Reach in front of the most crowded section of the course, finally bursting through into Division 2 and also winning their blades.

Despite the increased level of competition, now racing against mainly other 1st VIIIs, guided by the long-term planning and expert coaching of Sergej Using (also captain of Cambridge 99's Boat Club, Henley Masters medal-winner and ex-pro basketball player) the Men's 1st VIII progressed smoothly through Division 2 over the following few years, winning blades again in 2008 and 2010, and narrowly missing out in 2011 (only going up 3 places). On the final race of the final day May Bumps 2012, again rowing twice in 90 minutes as the sandwich boat and at the end of a grueling week, HCBC M1 bumped Churchill M1 to win their fourth set of blades in 6 years, and with it breaking through into the May Bumps Men's First Division for the first time in the Club's history.

2010s: A Resurgent W1

After consistently building the Women's 1st VIII and squad from the end of the 2000s, and a number of hard-fought but unsuccessful battles on the water, W1 results took a significant upswing after the establishment of long term coach Mike Edey and his process-driven approach. In 2017, HCBC's Women's 1st VIII, rowing in a brand new Janousek boat named 'Edey' in honour of their coach, W1 went up four places, obtaining blades and securing their spot in the Women's Mays First Division, the first time that Homerton Women's 1st VIII had been in that position since 2000. [2]

Record Breakers - Oxbridge Record (2001) and World Record (2017)

Oxbridge Record - Most Places Advanced during one Series of Bumps Races (Mays/Lents/Torpids/Eights)

The Homerton College Boat Club Men's 1st VIII hold the Oxbridge record for the most places advanced during one series of bumps (either Mays, Lents, or Torpids/Eights for Oxford), advancing 13 places in the May Bumps 2001 by bumping LMBC IV on day one, and sandwiching up to division 3 by bumping Corpus II, overbumping Sidney II and triple-overbumping 1st & 3rd III the following two days and bumping Selwyn II on the final day to take blades. [3]

World Record - Longest Continuous Row on a Concept2 Rowing Machine

In May 2017, the Club broke the world record for longest continuous row on a Concept2 rowing machine. Members of the club took shifts rowing on the same machine for 4 days 12 hours and 10 minutes, keeping the flywheel spinning constantly through day and night, and supported by friends and fellow Homertonians in full view in the college's Buttery (bar/cafeteria). [4] [5]

University colours

List of known members of University Boat Clubs:

CUBC

CUWBC

CULRC

CUCBC Hon. Sec

Senior Club Positions

HCBC President

In May 2004, the position of HCBC President was founded at the Club AGM and written into the Club constitution. The role of President is to oversee the running of HCBC by the executive committee (composed of Captains and other elected and co-opted student officials, ordinarily rotated annually), and along with the Senior Treasurer, a College fellow appointed by Homerton College, to ensure the long-term success of the Club and contribution to College life.

List of HCBC Presidents

  • 2020–present: Jonathan Rackham and Shruti Chaudhri
  • 2014–2020: Sam Farmer
  • 2014–2015: Oliver Rubens
  • 2006–2014: Adam Marsh
  • 2004–2006: Ruth Pidgeon
  • 1984–1985: Emma Dalseme

HCBC Senior Treasurer

The HCBC Senior Treasurer is a member of Homerton College staff appointed to oversee and help the long term running of the Boat Club, and is the direct conduit between the Club and the College.

List of HCBC Senior Treasurers

  • 2021–present: Dr William Fawcett [7]
  • 2020–2021: Dr Alice White
  • 2018-2020: Dr Francesca Moore [8]
  • 1995–2018: Philip Stephenson (now Emeritus Fellow)

Club Kit

HCBC Club kit is based on the colours of the Club, blue with white trim. However (in most years) the colours of the Club Zephyr (garment) are reversed, and are white with blue trim.

It is traditional to wear a sock of each of the boat club's colours when racing with a blue sock on the foot opposite the rigger.

Fleet (Past and Present)

(Details and dates tbc)

Below is a list of boats that comprise the HCBC fleet, past and present (retired boats are marked with retd.). Alongside each boat is a list of principal crews / dates (where appropriate), as well as any significant or otherwise interesting notes.

Geoff

Crews:

Notes:

"Geoff", named in honour of former Homerton College Principal, Professor Geoff Ward, was officially launched at a ceremony in December 2021, the same day as the Fairbairn Cup Races earlier that day. [9] Officially naming the new boat with a spray of champagne, Prof. Ward said "I am touched to have had a new boat named after me. I wish our excellent rowers many years of success and pleasure on the water with ‘Geoff’."

Edey

Crews:

Notes:

HCBC's first Janousek was named Edey named after longtime coach Mike Edey and launched in 2017.

Stevie Stephenson

Crews:

(tbc)

Notes:

The Stevie Stephenson was named after the father of the long-serving HCBC Senior Treasurer, Phil Stephenson, in honour of the many years of dedicated service that Phil had given to the Club. After a boat naming ceremony in April 2007, with speeches from both Phil Stephenson and then-president Adam Marsh, Stevie Stephenson was given its maiden paddle in a 'Captain's Row', crewed by multiple past Women's and Men's Captains, alongside 2 other boats crewed by both past and present HCBC members.

Hilary (retd.)

Crews:

Notes:

The Lady Hilary is for many on the men's side of the Club, the quintessential HCBC boat. Purchased second-hand and over 20 years old when finally retired, she was the first boat purchased by the Club for use by the Men's 1st VIII, and was the only boat used HCBC Men's 1st VIII's for over a decade, also as the principal Men's 2nd VIII boat for an even longer period of time. A burly and far from lightweight shell, Hilary was surprisingly responsive in handling the various twists and turns of The Cam at speed, and was used in countless bumps, rising the best part of 4 whole divisions in the space of 8 years. During this time, Hilary carried HCBC M1 from the bottom of Division 6 when first entering a Men's crew in 1995, to the top of Division 3 in 2002, including rising an astonishing 21 places between 2000 and 2001, moving from P10 in Division 4 to P6 in Division 3 with a run that included 6 bumps (including one as the sandwich boat), an overbump, a double overbump and a triple overbump. As mentioned above, rising 13 places in a single set of bumps racing in 2001 remains an Oxbridge record.

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bumps race</span> Form of rowing race

A bumps race is a form of rowing race in which a number of boats chase each other in single file, each crew attempting to catch and 'bump' the boat in front without being caught by the boat behind.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Margaret Boat Club</span> University rowing club affiliated to St Johns College, Cambridge

The Lady Margaret Boat Club is the rowing club for members of St John's College, Cambridge, England. The club is named after Lady Margaret Beaufort, founder of the College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May Bumps</span> Annual set of rowing races in Cambridge, England

The May Bumps are a set of rowing races, held annually on the River Cam in Cambridge, England. They began in 1887 after separating from the Lent Bumps, the equivalent bumping races held at the end of February or start of March. Prior to the separation there had been a single set of annual bumps dating from its inception in 1827. The races are open to all college boat clubs from the University of Cambridge, the University Medical and Veterinary Schools and the Anglia Ruskin Boat Club. The May Bumps takes place over four days in mid-June and is run as a bumps race.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lent Bumps</span>

The Lent Bumps are a set of rowing races held annually on the River Cam in Cambridge. They began in 1887, after separating from the May Bumps, which are bumping races held in mid-June. Prior to the separation there had been a single set of annual bumps dating from its inception in 1827. The races are open to all college boat clubs from the University of Cambridge, the University Medical and Veterinary Schools and Anglia Ruskin Boat Club. The Lent Bumps take place over five days at the end of February / start of March and are run as bumps races.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Caius Boat Club</span> Boat club at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge

Caius Boat Club is the boat club for members of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. The club has rowed on the River Cam since 1827, and like the other college boat clubs its aim is to gain and hold the headship of the Lent Bumps and May Bumps, now held in eight-oared boats, separately for men and women.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Downing College Boat Club</span>

Downing College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Downing College, Cambridge. Downing men have not been below the top 9 boats for over 3 decades, on occasion being the only boat club with a second boat in the first division, and regularly ahead of other college first boats. Downing women also consistently place highly, currently second on the river in the Lents and sixth in the Mays.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fitzwilliam College Boat Club</span>

Fitzwilliam College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Fitzwilliam College, Cambridge. Prior to the 1960s, Fitzwilliam House occupied a position near the bottom of the 2nd division or top half of the 3rd division of the Lent and May Bumps, even finding itself in the 4th division of the Lent Bumps briefly. Between 1959 and 1969, the 1st men's VIII were not bumped in the Lent Bumps, rising to Head of the River in 1969. Between 1960 and 1971, the 1st men's VIII were bumped only once in the May Bumps, taking the headship for three years between 1969 and 1971. From then until the mid-1980s, the 1st VIII held a position in the top-half of the 1st division and won both the Fairbairn Cup and the Emmanuel Sprints Regatta in the Michaelmas Term of 1982. The 1982 crew completed the traditional (1929–1989) Fairbairn course in 14.34, becoming the second crew ever to post a winning time of under 15 minutes over the original race distance.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidney Sussex College Boat Club</span>

Sidney Sussex Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge, in England.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Clare Boat Club</span> British rowing club

Clare Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Clare College, Cambridge, it was founded in 1831.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Churchill College Boat Club</span>

Churchill College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Churchill College, Cambridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Girton College Boat Club</span> British rowing club

Girton College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Girton College, Cambridge.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robinson College Boat Club</span> British rowing club

Robinson College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of Robinson College, Cambridge. Robinson is one of the newest colleges of Cambridge University and its men's and women's crews both appeared in 1981 for the first time.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magdalene Boat Club</span>

Magdalene Boat Club (MBC) is the rowing club for members of Magdalene College, Cambridge. The foundation of the MBC in 1828 coincided with the 400th anniversary of the Monk's Hostel or Buckingham College - the original foundation of Magdalene.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Selwyn College Boat Club</span>

Selwyn College Boat Club (SCBC) is the official rowing club for members of Selwyn College, Cambridge, a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. The Selwyn College Boat Club has one of the highest participation rates of novice rowers of any Oxbridge college, and has performed well in the May Bumps and Lent Bumps in recent years. Notable alumni of the Selwyn College Boat Club include Hugh Laurie, Tom Hollander, and Richard Budgett.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">King's College Boat Club</span>

King's College Boat Club is the rowing club for members of King's College, Cambridge. The first record of King’s rowing is in 1838.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hughes Hall Boat Club</span> British rowing club

Hughes Hall Boat Club (HHBC) is the rowing club for members of Hughes Hall, Cambridge. HHBC houses its boats in the Emmanuel boathouse. HHBC has a history of consistently impressing on several fronts. It has risen rapidly through the Cambridge College rowing ranks since its inception in the 1970s to become one of the most successful clubs on the river, frequently winning the prestigious accolade of Blades in the annual Lent and May Bumps Regatta. The Men's first crew won blades in the May Bumps in 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2013, 2014, 2019, and 2022.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Anglia Ruskin Boat Club</span>

Anglia Ruskin Boat Club (ARBC) is the rowing club for members of Anglia Ruskin University. It was known as CCAT Boat Club until 2008. The name CCAT derives from a former name for the university, the Cambridgeshire College of Arts and Technology, which is abbreviated to CCAT. The boat club kept the name CCAT much longer than its linked place of education – it was once thought the club would lose its positions in the bumps races if the name were changed, but that is urban legend.

The May Bumps 2012 were a set of rowing races held in Cambridge, UK with crews from the boat clubs of all Cambridge University Colleges and Anglia Ruskin University from Wednesday 13 June 2012 to Saturday 16 June 2012. The event was run as a bumps race and was the 121st set of races in the series of May Bumps which have been held annually in mid-June in this form since 1887. In 2012, 172 crews took part, with nearly 1550 participants in total.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wolfson College Boat Club (Cambridge)</span>

Wolfson College Boat Club (WCBC) is the rowing club for members of Wolfson College, Cambridge. The club was founded in 1968 as University College Boat Club and became Wolfson in 1973. The club shares a boathouse on the River Cam with the college boat clubs of Corpus Christi, Girton and Sidney Sussex. For the majority of the decade the club's men's and women's first boats have stood in Division 2 of the May and Lent bumps.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lady Margaret Hall Boat Club</span>

Lady Margaret Hall Boat Club (LMHBC) is a rowing club for members and staff of Lady Margaret Hall (LMH), Oxford. It was founded in 1976, when a women’s division was finally established. As the senior women’s college, LMH were placed at 1st on the river for the inaugural women’s bumps races and obtained Headship in 1977. The first men’s crew was established in 1980 following the admission of male students into the previously all-women’s college.

References

  1. ↑ Durack, John; Gilbert, George; Marks, Dr. John (2000). The Bumps: An Account of the Cambridge University Bumping Races 1827-1999 ISBN   0-9538475-1-9
  2. ↑ "Bumps Results | CUCBC".
  3. ↑ Raby, P. & Warner, P. (2010). Homerton: The Evolution of a Cambridge College (Published and Distributed by the Principal and Fellows of Homerton College), p.198
  4. ↑ "Homerton Looking to Smash World Record".
  5. ↑ "Homerton breaks world record". 16 May 2017.
  6. ↑ "The Cancer Research UK Boat Races - Rower profile - Daphne Martschenko". m.theboatraces.org. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016.
  7. ↑ "Dr William James Fawcett". www.homerton.cam.ac.uk.
  8. ↑ "Dr Francesca Moore". www.homerton.cam.ac.uk.
  9. ↑ Fawcett, William (6 December 2021). "Geoff takes to the water". www.homerton.cam.ac.uk.
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