Welcome
Hello and welcome to the new website for Oxford University Women's Boat Club! OUWBC represents the highest level of women's rowing at the University of Oxford, with a strong tradition of success at both varsity and national events since its foundation in 1926. The main focus of the club is the Henley Boat Races, where the first and reserve crews from OUWBC race against Cambridge University over 2km. Members of the first boat receive Blues, the highest sporting accolade offered by the University, while members of the reserve crew (also known as Osiris) receive University Colours.
Typically, oarswomen who row with OUWBC begin with little rowing experience, most having learnt to row with their colleges before moving into the club through our development squad system. Notably, of the 2009 crews, 7 of the 9 Osiris members, and 8 of the 9 Blue Boat members were initially involved in our Development Squad before trialling with OUWBC. Thus, under the guidance of our Head Coach Andy Green, the club is strongly involved in the development of aspiring female rowers at the University.
Our trialling season begins in September, and carries through until the Henley Boat Races, which are usually held in March or April after the completion of Hilary Term. The squad competes in a number of races building up to the boat race, including the Pairs, Fours and Eights Head Races held on the Tideway in London. The squad also takes part in a training camp at the start of the New Year, which was held this year in Hazewinkel, Belguim. Following the completion of the Boat Races, many athletes also continue to row with the club during the summer season, competing in a number of regattas including Henley Women's, Henley Royal and the National Championships.
On the day of the Boat Races, the Blue Boat made the most of the good weather conditions to gain an early lead, an advantage they never relinquished, ultimately finishing 1 1/4 lengths up on Cambridge at the finish. Osiris also gained ground on Blondie over the first half of the course, but Blondie pushed through to regain the lead for the second half, finally finishing 1 1/2 lengths ahead.
As President for the 2009 - 2010 season, I am hoping to build on this year's good results, both throughout the coming summer season, and the trialling season leading up to the 2010 Henley Boat Races. If you have any questions regarding the club or the trialling process, please do not hesitate to contact me (sonia.bracegirdle@chem.ox.ac.uk) or any of the other committee members. Finally, I would also like to offer my thanks to those who support us, and make OUWBC the successful club that it is.
Sonia Bracegirdle
President 09-10, Blue Boat 09, Cambridge Blue Boat 07
The 2008 - 2009 season was very successful for OUWBC, with good results being recorded early in the academic year at both the Pairs and Fours Head Races. These successes continued later in the season, with the Blue Boat placing 9th at the Women's Eights Head, winning the University Pennant and beating the Cambridge Blue Boat by over 20 seconds as an added bonus! Osiris also recorded a time 4 seconds faster than their Cambridge counterparts (Blondie), giving the squad a boost in confidence before the Henley Boat Races a few weeks later.
