Continuing the trend of increasing yellow-striped kit at Blues level, this year saw two Univites represent Oxford: first year medic Rebecca te Water Naudé, who rowed in the women’s reserve boat, Osiris, and second year physicist Alex Rowe-Jones, who stroked the lightweight men’s eight. Writing in March, Becca says:

“I've been lucky enough to train as part of OUWBC since halfway through Michaelmas term - I raced in trial eights in December, and spent New Year's Eve on training camp in Italy. It's been a truly incredible experience as well as a very sharp learning curve, as I had sculled in Year 13 but prior to coming to Oxford had only swept a handful of times. I'm now looking forward to racing in the reserve Boat Race on March 27th, and hopefully being a part of UCBC later on in Trinity term!

Alex writes:

“This year I made the tough and unenviable choice to temporarily leave the raw grunt that was UCBC M1 to take ply my trade with the finesse of OULRC. The additional training load in combination with losing 12 kg from my Summer Eights weight has been challenging to say the least, but rewarding also. I'm happy to report that having made it through the winter I'm looking forward to stroking the lightweight blue boat against Cambridge on 19th March, and can't wait to get involved with UCBC again subsequently."

Despite a strong start at Henley, OULRC could not make up the early lead that Cambridge established, leading to a hard-fought loss.

In an exciting race in some of the worst conditions seen on the tideway, on 27th March Osiris strode away to a length’s lead to begin proceedings. However, the light blues were not to be defeated easily and drew level at Hammersmith Bridge, going on to take the lead and the win.

OUWBC took the glory in the blue boat race, against a truly tough-spirited Cambridge crew who battled with rough conditions until the end. OUBC unfortunately lost out in the men’s race, but Isis and OUWLRC secured wins for Oxford to make this year’s varsity rowing honours even.

You can read the full list of UCBC blues over the past here.

Posted on Apr 20, 2016

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