Logo
Logo
Rowing crews racing

Why try rowing?

There are many reasons to give rowing a go:

  • It is quintessentially part of the ‘Oxford experience’.
  • This is probably a sport you have never done before, so it offers a new challenge.
  • It gets you outside and away from academic concerns for part of the day.
  • As a form of exercise, there are few better.  It works the whole body, and challenges both strength and endurance. 
  • It is a very social sport since the crews train and race together throughout the season, as well as going to club social events (formal meals, pizza in the bar, crew dates) throughout the year.
  • Rowers tend to be driven and disciplined, which improves time management and helps academic work.
  • The skills that rowing develops are often those sought by future employers: dedication, grit, resilience, team work and so forth. Beyond your degree, these are skills and qualities you can highlight in your CV and interview.

Things not to worry about

  • The programme realises that academic matters come first, and so is built around the academic commitments of the students. Training is usually in the mornings, evenings and weekends to allow students ample time to study during the day. There is also a certain degree of flexibility for sessions to be caught up on later if need be.
  • Olympic rowers are tall and strong, but you don’t need to be built like this to row, either for enjoyment or to compete. Technical ability and competitive drive also count in producing boat speed.  For those at a high level, OUBC runs lightweight crews, and there is the option to cox as well.
  • You will not be expected to always get up at the crack of dawn.  You will only be asked to do this once or twice a week so that you can fit training sessions in before lectures and labs.  Even the top crews get mornings off through the week.
Rowers celebrating in a boat
A cox in a boat

Coxing

There are two areas of the sport, and we are always looking for recruits in both.  Rowing is obvious, but we also need people who want to try coxing.  

The cox leads the crew when its on the water, steering the boat with the rudder as well as giving instructions and encouragement when needed through a microphone.
 

The Novice Programme

Plans for the Novice programme can be found here.

To get involved, just come along to some of the initial events and talk to some current rowers.  If you like what you hear, you can sign up at the time.

Alternatively, the Boat Club has men’s and women’s Novice Captains overseeing the Novice programme.  You can contact them to sign up or get more information.  Please click here for contact information.

Training Locations

To find out how to get to the various locations at which we train, please click here.

A map of the Isis can be found here.

Initial Information

All the information you need to have when you first join the Boat Club can be found here.