NEWS

News

11 Dec, 2023
On the first December weekend, EUBC headed down to Newcastle for the final race weekend of 2023. In cold December conditions, the club raced both Rutherford Head and participated in matched racing with Durham and Molesey the following day. EUBC sent 53 athletes down to race and came out of the weekend with some fantastic results. Edinburgh took the wins in the Op4- b1, W8+ b2, Op8+ b2, Op4- b2, Op4+ b2, with strong performances across all other races. On Sunday, Edinburgh participated in match racing against Durham and Molesey and saw a dominant win from our women’s first eight, an incredible step up from the previous day. Following these promising results, EUBC is excited to see what racing brings in 2024.
04 Jul, 2023
H enley Royal Regatta 2023 witnessed extraordinary achievements from Edinburgh University Boat Club. With eight strong crews participating, including a Prince Albert Challenge Cup Men's 4+, two men's Temple Challenge Cup 8+'s, two women's Island Challenge Cup 8+'s, a composite Prince Of Wales Challenge Cup men's 4x, a composite Princess Grace Challenge Cup women's 4x, and a Diamond Challenge Sculls men's single scull, EUBC arrived with high expectations and a desire to showcase their talent on the renowned Henley stretch. While Temple A, and both men's and women's composite quads secured pre-qualification, the remaining crews had to go through the qualifying process. Fortunately, four out of the five racing crews successfully qualified. However, Dan Jones in the open single experienced equipment failure, resulting in him missing out on a qualifying spot. The six-day regatta began on Tuesday, with side-by-side racing featuring Temple Challenge Cup crews and the Prince of Wales Challenge Cup crew. Temple A faced a Dutch international crew from Nereus, comprising of multiple under-23 international rowers. In a fiercely contested race, Temple A displayed their strength but narrowly missed out, losing by a length. Nereus then advanced another round, ultimately losing to Syracuse who made the final against Oxford Brookes. Later in the day, Temple B competed against Durham A, a consistent top-three university first 8+ team throughout the season. Despite the crew's great determination and skill, they fell short against the strong Durham crew. The Prince of Wales quad, featuring Josh Matthews from Edinburgh, was paired with Leander A, consisting of multiple international-level rowers. Despite a valiant effort, the men's 4x couldn't overcome the Leander crew, who took a 2 length victory and eventually won the entire event. On Wednesday, the remaining EUBC crews entered side-by-side racing. Island A faced University of London A and emerged victorious with exceptional teamwork and power, leading by one length through the finish line. Island B competed against University of Pennsylvania B, they rowed a great and pushed their opposition down the whole course however were unsuccessful in acquiring the victory and finished 2½ lengths behind. The composite women's 4x, featuring Hannah Supple from Edinburgh, competed against NCRA and emerged triumphant, winning by 2 lengths, showcasing their skill and determination. Meanwhile, the men's 4+ crew confronted Triton, another formidable Dutch crew, they raced extremely well and took the race to the line but couldn't secure a victory and narrowly missed out by just half a length. This year's Henley Royal Regatta witnessed several notable achievements for EUBC. With a record-breaking 43 athletes qualifying for the regatta, the club showcased remarkable depth across multiple events. Notable standout accomplishments were Hannah Supple's composite women's 4x reaching the Friday of the regatta, where they faced the eventual winners of the event, the senior GB quad; as well as Island A who pushed Brookes A, the eventual winners of the Island Challenge cup to hotly contested race In which they finished just 1 length down. Reflecting on the successful year, the boat club expresses immense pride in the accomplishments of the athletes. The depth and talent displayed throughout the regatta further solidified EUBC's position as a force to be reckoned with in the university rowing community. Henley Royal Regatta once again proved to be a magnificent celebration of the sport, athletes, and the collective spirit of the club. With such impressive achievements, EUBC is filled with anticipation for the upcoming seasons and the limitless potential they hold.
06 Jun, 2023
As the the summer racing season gets fully underway, Edinburgh sent 27 athletes down to Met Regatta in preparation for Henley Royal Regatta. The weekend saw some pro ductive and positive racing for the squads with promising results for the crews to go into the last few weeks of training before Henley. The W8+ raced both days as the same crew, placing 1st in the B final on Saturday, to which they then made a positive step on for the Sunday, placing 2nd in the A final. The M8+ and M4+ did crew alterations throughout the weekend. The M8+ placed 3rd in the C final on the Saturday and 4th in the B final on the Sunday. The M4+ placed 6th in the A final on the Saturday and 5th in the B final on Sunday. Josh Matthews and Hannah Supple raced in composite crews throughout the weekend. Josh placed 1st in the M2x on the Saturday, followed by placing 3rd in the M1x on Sunday. Hannah raced the W2x both days, placing 5th on Saturday and 2nd on the Sunday. Both squads look to make further steps on in their crews on our training camp at Loch Oich this week. 
06 Jun, 2023
S cot Champs saw a very fun and sunny weekend of racing for our athletes. Edinburgh won a total of 10 medals over the weekend as crews doubled up throughout the weekend to make the most of some racing before they head up to Loch Oich for training camp. All crews are looking forward to a productive training camp up North before athletes head down South for HWR and HRR.
26 May, 2023
R owing has been one of Scotland’s leading Olympic sports over several cycles, consistently punching above its weight both domestically and internationally with Scottish rowers making up one fifth of Team GB at Tokyo 2020 including three who came through the University of Edinburgh programme. The performance partnership is based on a mutual commitment to create a thriving rowing programme at all levels that supports and encourages long term athlete development underpinned by a positive, collaborative and supportive team culture which prioritises and supports good health and wellbeing for both coaches and athletes. It will see Scottish Rowing, backed by sportscotland, make both a significant annual financial investment into the programme as well as commitment to support the rowing programme at the University of Edinburgh through other in-kind benefits. The programme has consistently produced athletes to Scotland and Great Britain representative standard including multiple Olympians - these include University of Edinburgh Sports Hall of Fame athletes Dame Katherine Grainger and Dr Polly Swann. Both The University of Edinburgh and Scottish Rowing are confident that this partnership will help continue to support a thriving rowing programme at all levels and to identify, recruit and develop rowers within EUBC who can successfully compete at an Olympic, Paralympic and Commonwealth level. “As I approach a decade in my role as Head of Rowing, I can reflect on the fantastic progress of the sport at the University of Edinburgh. We have grown to become one of the leading clubs in the UK, consistently achieving domestic success, as well as providing a regular flow of athletes to Great Britain teams at both Under 23 and Senior level. The support Scottish Rowing has provided on this journey has been invaluable, and I am excited to be signing a new agreement which will see us solidify and enhance our status as a destination to excel in both rowing and academia.” Colin Williamson Head of Performance Rowing, The University of Edinburgh “We are beyond delighted to extend our partnership with Scottish Rowing. We look forward to the next 6 years, growing the partnership both further, and ensuring we raise the already high standards set within the programme at Edinburgh. I know, through working together, we will continue to create a rowing environment that carries on creating long term athlete development, in an environment others want to be part of.” Ross Simpson Assistant Director and Head of Sport, The University of Edinburgh “Scottish Rowing is proud of our partnership with the University of Edinburgh which has helped to support the development of countless student rowers since it began in 2010 and has set a standard for other programmes to follow. Looking ahead there are many opportunities – in Olympic, Paralympic and emerging Commonwealth disciplines – and we look forward to playing our part to ensure that Edinburgh remains one of the leading rowing programmes in the country.” Lee Boucher Head of Performance Pathway, Scottish Rowing 
09 May, 2023
The May Bank Holiday weekend has secured itself as the start and highlight of the regatta season, as BUCS regatta brings together the whole university rowing community, from beginners to international athletes across three packed days of racing across Beginner, Intermediate and Championship categories. As usual, the baby blue army stormed down South with 87 athletes competing in 60 entered events with determination and intent in both racing and not falling over in the mud… Our beginner programme coached by Mike Hughes was most definitely a highlight of the regatta, as once again, Edinburgh’s novice rowers dominated the field. Despite being new to the sport, the athletes had astounding performances across the weekend, winning gold in the WBeg 8+, WBeg 4x, WBeg 4- and MBeg 4x. As well taking medals in the WBeg 1x, MBeg 1x and the WBeg 2x. A phenomenal and dominating performance from our beginner squad. Our senior men’s and women’s squad faced strong opponents in some tough races, narrowly missing out on medals on multiple occasions. Our men did however, secure medals in the MChLwt 1x and MChLwt 4-, followed by medals in the MIntLwt 2-, MInt 2- and MCh 4x. Our women secured bronze in the WCh 2x to finish a tough but valuable weekend of racing off. As our squads now turn their attention to the rest of the summer racing season, we can’t shy away from the excitement and value of BUCS regatta as it brings new people to the sport and allows everyone of all abilities to compete and reach their potential. After a some-what muddy but valuable weekend of racing, as a club we are excited to see what we can do in the next few weeks and months leading into the HWR and HRR.
17 Apr, 2023
A total of five athletes and one cox were invited to the GB selection trials this weekend, where Edinburgh displayed a strong performance across the whole board. Dale Flockhart had a stand out performance and notably won the LMx1 category, placing 4th overall in the B final. Dan Jones followed as the 2nd fastest LMx1, placing 1st in the C final overall. Josh Matthews also put in strong performance coming in as 5th fastest U23 sculler, placing 2nd in the D final overall. Hannah Supple stood out in a strong field as 2nd fastest U23 sculler and placing 6th in the B final overall. A brilliant weekend of racing and results for our athletes and we look forward to see what they do in the rest of the season.
23 Mar, 2023
After a fantastic performance from our Senior and Beginner Women’s Squad at WeHoRR, Saturday 18th March was the turn of the Senior Men. In a year where the overall record fell, the 2023 Eight’s Head boasted possibly the highest quality field in the events history, but Edinburgh remained undaunted. Our 1st VIII placed 16th overall, and 4th in the University Pennant. This was a great result for our top boat and showed good progress on our opposition from previous races (and possibly the fastest an Edinburgh crew has rowed the championship course due to favourable conditions). Our 2nd VIII had a good row to place 41st, and our 3rd VIII did well to get into the top 100 in such a strong year, placing 98th. We’re very happy with the squads performance in the strongest year seen at men’s head. This leaves the Senior Men in a great position to attack the second half of the season, having made up good ground on our various university opposition. We now look forward beginning our Victor Ludorum defence at the BUCS regatta.
07 Mar, 2023
Edinburgh’s women took to the Tideway in London on 4 March for the finale of their winter racing season. Women’s Eights Head of the River is the largest women’s rowing event in Europe, 320 boats and 2880 competitors racing the 6.75km course between Chiswick and Putney. The boats arrived in Putney early on Thursday morning. This gave coxes and rowers two days of training; coxes practiced their steering; rowers worked on getting to grips with the challenging water. For some it was just a refresher; for many it was their first time on the Tideway. After two days of preparation, our crews took to the water and rowed to the start in chilly but decent conditions, with a little head wind between the Bandstand and Chiswick. First off was the First VIII, starting sixth. After what was described as a good row, they were timed eighth fastest over the course, a great achievement with two GB crews ahead of them and the usual Leander entries. Later, our crew was given a 10sec time penalty which pushed them to tenth; however, their result was positive in comparison to the usual rivals and bodes well for the racing coming. The beginner crews started later, with numbers 290 (Edinburgh D) and 293 (Edinburgh C). Both enjoyed good starts and found themselves overtaking, some were sporting and yielded; others were not, forcing them to take the long way round. As they approached Fulham, both coxes (new to rowing this year) steered a great line, using the advice given to them by as alumnus about the new fastest line in some areas. With the confirmed results, Edinburgh had secured a unique 1-2 in their category, with 44s between them and a further 50s back to third. Edinburgh C finished 69th with the 2nd highest climb of the day of 224 places; Edinburgh D finished 126th, climbing 163 places. This signs-off a special winter racing period for the beginner women, who had secured a clean-sweep at BUCS Head a few weeks earlier. Our women are now focused on preparation for summer racing. We’d like to thank our boat partner Hudson for their continued support; our hosts at London RC for their hospitality, and to @wehorr for organising another well-ran event.
21 Feb, 2023
For the third time this season we headed down South to race on the River Tyne in some challenging conditions. After matched racing and Rutherford Head in November, the a thletes felt prepared for the challenges of the river. Saturday was the Championship and Intermediate events, kicking off with the Women’s eights and Men’s fours events in a strong headwind. The Women’s eights set a strong precedent for the weekend ahead as both the Women’s Championship 8+ and Intermediate 8+ took silver. The men had strong performances in the fours, with the Men’s Lightweight Championship 4- being the highlight as they took gold. The afternoon followed with some more solid performances as the tide turned and the wind lowered. The Men’s Championship 8+ set the afternoon off with a solid performance with bronze. The Men’s Intermediate 8+ had solid performances also, finishing 6th and 16th. The women took the fours in the afternoon, with the Women’s Championship 4- being the highlight of the afternoon stormed the field and took gold. The Women’s Championship 4+ took silver also. After a some strong performances on the Saturday, the beginners were ready to take to the Tyne on the Sunday for their first race in baby blue. After unforeseen circumstances, the beginner men were unable to race, leaving the beginner women to demonstrate the strength of the beginner programme. The beginner women stormed the entire field, taking gold and silver in the Women’s Beginner 4+, gold in the Women’s Beginner 4x and gold again in the Women’s beginner 8+. A phenomenal performance from our beginner squad. The weekend was brilliant success for the whole club and the athletes are ready to get back into trianing in preparation for WEHORR and HORR in the upcoming weeks. 
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