Rowing is by far the most popular sport in Cambridge. Besides the world-famous university crews, each college has a boat club and college crews compete throughout the year. Without a doubt rowing is one of experiences that make studying at Cambridge so special. And you don't need to be a superb athlete! Few students have rowed or coxed before coming to Cambridge, but most give it a go at some point during their time here, and many of them become completely hooked!
Rowing isn't all about physical exertion. A winning crew needs strength, speed, steering and tactics. Coxing gives you the ideal opportunity to experience all the fun of rowing but with the focus on the mental rather than physical side of things.
If you are small and dynamic why not try your hand at coxing? Learn how to steer your way around the twisty Cam, using your vocal skills to motivate and inspire your crew. Darwin College Boat Club (DCBC) has a fine coxing tradition and welcomes anyone who'd like to give it a go!
Is it just about training?
Being a "boatie" is not just about fancy rowing kit and early morning outings. We also enjoy socialising, and have a boat club dinner every term to celebrate that term's rowing, regular pub outings and social events and we often arrange formal halls, either at Darwin or as exchanges with the crews from other colleges. In March 2006 and 2007, 25 DCBC members went to Seville together - one of the biggest trips ever organised by a Darwin Society.
The Bumps Races are the highlight of the college rowing calendar with more than 1500 rowers and coxes competing over four days. The Bumps are a historic form of racing - and a fantastically exciting one! Divisions of 17 crews line up along the river. At the firing of a cannon, all hell breaks loose as each crew tries to crash into the boat ahead before the crew behind does the same to them!
When do you guys go training?
There are no set days for training yet, but outings are usually in the early morning, ie. around 7:00 to 7:30am. We sometimes also do a lunchtime outing on the weekend. The number of outings depends on the boat you're in. Lower boats usually go out two times a week, the first boat usually goes out 3-4 times a week.
How much commitment does it require?
Rowing is definitely one of the greatest experiences you can have in Cambridge. Once you will get better at it, there's really nothing quite like racing down the river with 8 people exactly in sync. But it takes some time and commitment: Outings on the river are usually twice a week for beginners and typically last till 8:50am. If you have lectures at 9am in town on those mornings, it can be quite a rush. In addition to outings you're encouraged to come to at least one exercise session per week. It's also very important to understand that a boat cannot go out unless all 8 people show up. If you're scheduled for an outing then you have to either cancel in advance or be there on time. Otherwise 7 people will stand around at the river waiting for you.
Can I start all-year round?
People usually start rowing at the beginning of October or November, so it may be a little difficult to fit you into the training schedule if you join much later, but we'll see what we can do! We'll try to give you a coached land training session soon, but it's up to the captains of the Second Boat or Third Boat to select their crews and it may take a while until they find a chance to fit you into their training schedule. It should also be stressed that we're not selecting purely on a first-com-first-serve basis, but instead we pick who we think will make the boat go fastest. So if you're a sporty person and really keen, then you still have a good chance to make the team!
No need to worry about that yet. We'll do a kit order sometime later in the term when everyone's settled in. Until then, just bring normal sports clothes to the outings, ie. stuff you would wear when you're going for a jog. Do bring an old warm jumper as well or a fleece or so, it can be a bit cold in the mornings.
Rowing is well subsidised by the college, and you probably won't be able to ever again take up rowing for so little money in your life. However, we do need to charge a membership fee to fund the club, purchase equipment, pay for repairs, bumps race entries, etc. The fee is around £20 per term or £55 for a whole year. If you only try out rowing for one or two outings but decide it isn't for you, we will not charge you.
The boathouse is on Cutter Ferry Lane (off Manhattan Drive). The postcode is CB4 1JR. For directions, please have a look at this map or this map.
Can I lock up my stuff at the boathouse?
We always take a "goodie bag" on board with us and you can put your phone, wallet, watch, etc. in there. However, we don't recommend bringing laptops and the like, say, when you're coming straight from work. You definitely can't take them on board and it's not very safe to leave them at the boathouse. The boathouse doors will be locked during the outing, but many people have access to the boathouse key.
How do I get on the DCBC mailing list?
Please click on DCBC Mailing List and sign up!
Our gym is on the college main site. Go through the main entrance, turn left and walk down the long corridor, past the Porter's Lodge, past the Old Library, past the TV room, and then turn left again at the end of the corridor. Please email someone on the committee if you need the code for the door.
What is circuits? Where is circuits?
"Circuits" is short for circuit training. Circuit sessions usually go on for one hour and involve a number of different stations (push-ups, sit-ups, jumping up and down, and so on). You spend 50 seconds at each station and then move on to the next. DCBC does circuits once a week at Fenner's, which is the university gym. You don't need to be a member at Fenner's to take part, simply go to the reception and ask for Darwin Circuits. They will point you up the stairs and then right, which is where the Circuits Gym is.
To get to Fenners from College, walk up Silver Street and then turn right onto Trumpington Street. Walk down Trumpington Street, past Fitzbillies, past Peterhouse College, past the Loch Fyne Restaurant, past the Fitzwilliam Museum, past the Judge Institute and the Engineering Department and then turn left into Lensfield Road. Walk down Lensfield past the Chemical Engineering Department and turn right at the Church into Hills Road. Walk down Hills Road (towards the railway station) for a little bit and then turn left into Harvey Road. Walk to the end of Harvey Road and then turn right and you'll be just outside Fenner's. It's rougly a 5-10 minute cycle ride from college or a 25 minute walk.
Do I need extra insurance to row?
Rowers are not covered for personal accidents by Darwin College Boat Club, it is therefore recommended ARA membership is taken - it provides personal accident cover as below and will be needed for most races off the Cam.
Not many people at Darwin register to get additional insurance, but if you want to become a student member of the ARA it is £25 for a year and further information can be found at http://www.ara-rowing.org
What can I do if I get injured?
The best solution is to go to the Sports Injury Clinic at Addenbrooke's Hospital. It is opened Monday, Wednesday and Friday mornings from 9am to 10:30am during University term. Anyone who has injured themselves playing a sport can seek help and advice however the injury must be less than 48 hours old, and they MUST NOT have been to the Accident & Emergency Department. After the inital consultation, you can be refered to the physio department, which is all covered under the NHS.
If this is not possible, you can still see your GP who will refer you to a physio.
In any case, you should contact your captain as soon as possible and he/she will be able to help you.
