OUBC Development Squad
After Summer Eigths, the OUBC will be encouraging those Oxford college oarsmen and coxes
who have aspirations towards competiting for the University against Cambridge in the Boat Race
the following Spring to get involved with the OUBC's summer development squad. (Further details
will be posted nearer the time.)
Pre-season Training
The road to the 2009 Boat Race will begin with a meeting at 10am in the OUBC Gym at the University's
Iffley Road Sports Complex, provisionally scheduled for 15th September.
This meeting is for all athletes and coxes who wish to be considered for the 2009 OUBC Squad; this will
include first year students, established college oarsmen, Development Squad athletes and existing OUBC
members. Athletes should bring kit with them for a light training session.
For those whose College accomodation will not be available until full term starts in October,
OUBC can arrange substitute lodgings in Magdalen College's Wayneflete Building, conveniently
situated close to the Gym and near the centre of Oxford.
To be part of the OUBC and to row in the Boat Race requires a great deal of dedication and training.
From Tuesday to Friday the squad trains twice a day from 07:00 to 08:45 at the Iffley Road Gym and from
14:15 to 18:00 on the water at Wallingford (time includes travel). On the weekend training comprises
two water sessions, often at Wallingford (approx. 07:30 to 13:00) but also on occassions on the Tideway
in London on the Boat Race course, or on Caversham Lake 45mins away near Reading.
It is important to be well organised, and to make the best use of the time available so that
academic commitments are fully met. Many Boat Race trialists find that the self-discipline required
for them to excel at rowing is valuable as they attempt to juggle their full-time studies alongside
Boat Race training and preparations. In recent years OUBC members have had an above average academic
record within the University, with most athletes obtaining first or upper second class degrees.
Those thinking of stepping up to the plate and hoping to be a part of the OUBC squad in 2008-2009
should fill out and submit the new trialist's information form.
