N E W B O ATHOUSE A P P E A L The UBBC boat houses at Saltford like to buy further tickets, please have served the Club well for over 80 contact Claire Eatock (0117 331 8209 If you would years, but they are little changed since [email protected]). like to donate many of our Alumni were at Bristol, and are now in urgent need of replace- If any Alumni would like to make a please contact: ment. A new boat house is planned contribution towards the Club’s for the same Saltford site, but it will fundraising target for the new boat Gordon Trevett, be larger than the two existing ones. house, their generosity would be Bristol’s High Performance greatly appreciated. Until 31 July Manager and Director of The new building will provide space 2011, all donations received will be 0117 3311168 for both boat storage and changing enhanced by a third thanks to the [email protected] facilities to cater for a large and grow- G o v e r n m e n t ’s Gift Match Scheme. THE RISE AND RISE OF B R I S TO L ing Club. The new structure will also When combined with Gift Aid (for The raffle draw will take place on avoid any problems caused by flood- UK taxpayers), this means that every Saturday 3rd July 2010, ing, and will have reliable security to £1 given towards this project could be NOVICE ROWING protect against acts of vandalism and worth up to £1.66 to your Club. There at . Former UBBC Captain Adam Mackenzie run up Whiteladies Road, where we is understandably overshadowed by takes a look back at the past 5 years of paused to enjoy a circuit session on the achievements and news of those potential break-ins. has never been a better time to support Thanks to Harry Engels (www.har - Novice rowing the Downs, before jogging back down Senior squads, so to redress the bal- UBBC! ryengels.com) for the use of the pho - to the Union. Disheartened by being ance I’d like to celebrate the achieve- The estimated total cost of the new tos of UBBC's Senior Men's First VIII I vividly remember signing up for the close to the back of the pack on this ments of our recent Men’s Novice boat house is £560,000, and it is on pages 5 and 6 of this newsletter Boat Club back in October 2005. so-called “short” run, I quickly made squads. hoped that work will commence by (copyright Harry Engels). F r e s h e r s ’ Fairs across the nation will myself available for outings on the the end of 2010, with the new building often be likened to a cattle market, but the water. 2005 opened in time for the start of the inadequately sized Avon Gorge room on This season pre-dated my arrival at 2 0 11/12 academic year in October the fifth floor of the University of Bristol Later that week, a number of us were Bristol, but I am reliably informed by 2011. Students’ Union into which all the sport quietly ushered away from the relative the seven man that his crew won the clubs are crammed is, if anything, an safety of the Union building into an BUSA in a “record time”. Partial funding is being provided by even more unsettling experience. ageing, malodorous minibus and They underperformed at BUSA the University and other sources, and transported down the A4. Falling Regatta, however, being unexpectedly Few students make it that far up the leaves welcomed us to Saltford on a eliminated in the semi-finals. They a total of around £370,000 has now Union building; hung-over hockey play- brilliantly blue-skied autumn after- later went on to win Novice VIIIs at been secured, leaving around ers reeking of pizza and energy drink noon, and I was able to pick up the Reading Amateur Regatta and £190,000 still to raise. The Club is samples greet those who do. T h e s e basics in the bow seat of an VIII. attempted to qualify a coxed IV for the hoping to raise this additional amount example University athletes and the glis- Prince Albert Challenge Cup at within the next few months, in order tening walls of the Avon Gorge room will I was moved to the six seat for the . to meet the target opening date for the One of the current boat houses at Saltford. put many off, but a minority somehow next session, where we tried rowing new boat house. still find their way to the diminutive all- for the first time – afterwards 2006 UBBC stand. the stroke remarked “It’s really hard to The Men’s Novice crew was the only Drawing of the proposed new boat house. Alumni will be aware that a fundrais- keep in time with everyone else when UBBC crew to enjoy a win in the 2006 With that experience in mind, you may be you can’t see them”! For the third Varsity Boat Race, as the Club lost the ing dinner is being held at Leander surprised to learn that it actually took me water session I was asked to give overall event 4–1 to UWE in a year in Club, Henley, on Saturday 3 July two visits to sign up to UBBC: an expen- stroking a whirl, a seat that I managed which the Men’s First VIIIs event was 2010, at which a raffle will be drawn. sive subscription fee (£30 means a lot to to retain for the rest of the year. re-rowed. The Men’s Novice VIIIs The fantastic prize list includes lunch a student!) was enough to put me off ini- race was not close by any verdict, with for two at the Royal Sydney Yacht tially. My mother obviously liked the The story so far may describe the start UBBC winning easily. Squadron (including return flights to idea of her son as a rower, however, and of a rowing career at any University, Sydney); dinner and a ‘behind the promised to cover the sign-up fee. I and many will be able to recall similar At BUSA Regatta, the crew performed scenes visit’ to Leander Club with a never saw the £30, but the incentive was experiences. But Bristol Novice row- very strongly to hold off an impressive enough to secure my name on a member- Imperial College crew that had won GB rowing coach; salmon fishing in ing has been distinguished, in recent ship list. years, by a consistently high level of the Novice division of the Head of the Scotland; shooting at Bisley; golf at success, which in turn has contributed River Race in some style earlier in the Wisley; and the Alumni Chairman’s Training started a few days later. There to the success of Bristol’s Senior season. In the BUSA race, Bristol weight in aged claret! If you have not were over 50 boys at the first land train- squads as Novice rowers have moved maintained a slight lead on the over- lapping Head of the River champions yet entered the raffle, or if you would ing session, which kicked-off with a up through the ranks. Novice rowing for the entire race. 8 UBBC ALUMNI 1 THE RISE AND RISE OF B R I S TO L

NOVICE ROWING Cont . . . Even this was not enough for the Gold in Strathclyde, where UWE were able and the Bristol crew impressed specta- The UBBC Alumni CHAIRMAN’S medal, however, which went to to draw first blood with a narrow vic- tors by coming back on a strong Newsletter is the Newcastle University, whose very tory in the semi-final. But in the final Abingdon School crew and rowing strong Novice squad remained Bristol dominated the race and through them in the last strokes of the occasional private organ MESSAGE unbeaten all season. Bristol were enjoyed a jubilant victory with clear final to take home their medals. happy to take home the Bronze medal water, beating Durham University and of the UBBC Alumni behind a University of Exeter crew UWE to the top of the medal podium. With the addition of a few Senior row- Dear Alumni, that snuck into second place. ers, this crew then managed to round B r i s t o l ’s celebrations were short- off a great season by qualifying for the For those of you who need a break The crew went on to win Novice VIIIs lived, however, as the crew were invit- at Henley ALUMNI CONTACTS at Reading Amateur Regatta, but was ed to contest the Junior (i.e. Second) Royal Regatta, losing to Oxford from the World Cup, keep an eye forced to abandon an attempt to qual- VIIIs event the next day. Qualifying Brookes ‘B’ on the Wednesday. out for the Prince Albert as well as Tom Davies, Membership and Treasurer ify for the Temple Challenge Cup at to race in the final after winning the the Temple at Henley Royal Henley Royal Regatta due to a num- repechage, Bristol’s Novice Men lined The season’s victories did not go [email protected] ber of illnesses in the crew. up against five University Second unnoticed: the Novice crew were later Regatta this year. Gordon has yet to VIIIs, including the UBBC Second awarded ‘Team of the Ye a r ’ b y finalise his crews as I write this but 2007 VIII. theAthletic Union. The coaches were Dan Hatfield, Deputy Chairman also recognised: Peter Ashford won UBBC is looking good - not as 2007 saw another easy victory for [email protected] UBBC’s Novice Men at the Varsity The Bristol Second VIII dominated the ‘Roll of Honour’ award (not for good as you looked, of course, Boat Race, winning their race by the final, winning comfortably by ten the first time) and Rob Read was when rowing was real rowing and around five lengths. The Club as a seconds, but the Novice VIII held their awarded full colours. David Phillips, Fundraising own in the chasing pack. As they student life was twice as hard... whole saw a reverse in fortunes, tak- [email protected] ing back the Varsity blade with a 4–1 passed the 1750m marker the crew win over their UWE counterparts. were in second place, overlapping I have been very touched by the with the four other chasing crews. Andy Racz, Merchandise generosity of so many people with At BUSA Regatta, the Novice crew Tired from the weekend’s hard racing, took home a Bronze medal behind Bristol’s final push could not match [email protected] their kind contributions to the Boat experienced crews from Oxford the other crews and was not enough to House raffle. There are some Brookes, who won the event at a can- secure a medal – although fifth place is a very respectable result for a Edward Renwick, Secretary amazing prizes so if you are read- ter, and Cardiff University. Novice crew in a Senior event. [email protected] ing this prior to July 3rd, call An experienced fresher, Richard quickly and check if there are any The crew next raced at Reading Poole, joined Bristol’s Novice crew at Amateur Regatta, where they man- tickets left. You could be enjoying the end of the summer season to Dave Washbrook, Alumni Rowing aged to complete ‘the double’ by win- UBBC Secretary and Club Captain [email protected] a cellar full of wine and be en route stroke an VIII attempting to qualify ning Novice VIIIs on the Saturday and for the Temple Challenge Cup at then Senior 4 VIIIs on the Sunday. manning the stand at Fresh 2008. to Australia after having visited Henley Royal Regatta, unfortunately Competition was stiff in these events, Scotland for fishing, for missing out on qualification by around two lengths. Michelin fine dining and Roma for Bristol’s Men’s Novice VIII and coaches looking pleased Please feel free to contact indulgence. Equally, the Vi c e 2008 with their BUSA bronze, 2007. any of the steering group at the Chancellor supporting us with per- The same coaches from 2007 opted to continue coaching Bristol’s Men’s above email addresses, or sonal funds is a fine testament to Novice squad in 2008, perhaps with alternatively, write to us at: his interest and commitment. aims of fulfilling any ambitions nar- Thank you one and all. rowly missed in 2007. UWE upped their game in time for the UBBC Alumni 'Go UBBC' at HRR and for those Varsity Boat Race, with Bristol pow- of you coming to the 'sold out' din- ering around the outside of the tight C/o University of Bristol ner at Leander - I can't wait! final bend for victory by a canvas in Alumni Office the closest race of the day. The crews were clearly very evenly matched, but Senate House best wishes how would they compare in a straight line? Tyndall Avenue Bristol BS8 1TH Chris Hartley, Alumni Chairman A week later the crews met again at the BUCS (formerly BUSA) Regatta UBBC 1980 - 1984 2 UBBC ALUMNI UBBC ALUMNI 7 C A P TAIN’S REPORT THE RISE AND RISE OF B R I S TO L Matthew Ridley, current UBBC In keeping with UBBC tradition, my Looking to the future of UBBC as I Captain, reflects on the trials and triumphant and painstakingly crafted enter my final academic term as NOVICE ROWING Cont . . . tribulations of a Boat Club Captain Captain’s speech at the Head Race Captain, I see the Club moving up in Ball was completely lost on my exu- the world of University rowing as GB 2009 Seat-racing trials were carried out the friend, Zac Purchase (Beijing Gold I don’t think being Boat Club Captain berant and overly-appreciative student Rowing looks to improve regional With UWE continuing to push on weekend after this setback for the for- medallist), who kindly agreed to hop has ever been easy. The Captain has audience! rowing, as well as continuing its focus their Novice programme in an attempt mation of a new concept, a Senior back into a boat and fired the boys up to deal with the ups and downs of the on Thames-based clubs. We may to compete with UBBC, the Men’s Men’s Third VIII for the regatta sea- for match racing. In the semi final of Club at any hour of the day; whether it No article on the role of Boat Club even see an uneasy alliance forming Novice VIIIs event was always going son, with no pre-selected rowers from the IM3 VIIIs competition, the crew is the towing vehicle breaking down Captain would be complete without with UWE in an attempt to compete to be a close-run thing at 2009’s either the Senior or Novice squads. mercilessly disposed of UBBC’s the day before Finals, or trying to stop mentioning UWE, as managing the against the North Eastern and Thames Varsity Boat Race. The verdict was a Half the Novice crew managed to Senior Men’s Second VIII, before los- local vandals cutting the pontoons relationship between UBBC and regions! Bristol victory by a quarter of a secure a seat in this boat, which had ing by two lengths to a strong away from the Saltford river bank UWE is a key part of the job descrip- length, continuing UBBC’s domi- aims to qualify for Henley Royal Pangbourne College crew in the final. with wire cutters. tion. All readers will be aware of the Many Alumni will already be aware of nance of this event. Regatta at the end of the season. Only healthy rivalry which UBBC enjoys the plans to build a new boat house at a fortnight later the crew reached the The Third VIII spent the week before I was asked to describe the role of the with UWE. With 2010 seeing the fif- Saltford (the existing boat houses Illness caused late crew changes final of IM3 VIIIs at the Metropolitan qualifiers for Henley Royal Regatta Boat Club Captain, and thought it teenth consecutive running of the have changed little in the last 80 before the BUCS Regatta, and Regatta, a worthy achievement in training on the Henley stretch, and would be best to illustrate this by Varsity Boat Race, this event remains years!), details of which are set out on although the crew performed well, such a short space of time. hired an ex-GB women’s Empacher describing some of the more interest- the showcase for University rowing in page 8 of this newsletter. Once the fourth place was not what they had VIII to race in. It was the Club’s ing things I have done this year. First, the South West, and the event has cer- new facilities are built, Bristol will been hoping for. The podium hosted Short of a cox for Reading Amateur ambition to qualify three VIIIs for the I think dealing with a boat falling off tainly helped to raise and maintain the undoubtedly receive more interest crews from Queen’s University Regatta, the Bristol crew’s coach Temple Challenge Cup, a feat that has the trailer on the M4 after Quintin standards of both Bristol and UWE from experienced rowers looking to Belfast, Oxford Brookes and UWE. called on an injured rower and old only been accomplished once, and not Head is pretty high up on the list. crews. study here, which will widen and for ten years. On a warm Friday Thankfully it came off without dam- deepen the pool of talent for our top evening the UBBC ‘C’ crew dutifully aging anything or anyone else, The intense competition between the Senior crews each year and should UBBC power to victory in the BUSA performed and qualified to race at although the terrifying image in the two Clubs creates a thrilling spectacle lead to even better results on the Men’s Novice VIIIs event, 2008. wing mirror of the boat hanging from Henley Royal Regatta, a fanstastic on the Bristol Docks every year, with water. achievement. the trailer remains with me to this day. the rival crews battling it out for the Varsity Blade in what are often I wish you all the best from the current Next on my list would probably be sit- With a kind draw, the ‘C’ crew were extremely close races. The event has members of UBBC, and look forward ting in a meeting with three GB row- able to progress further than any rightly become a highlight of the local to seeing you at some of the summer ing coaches discussing how to tap the Bristol crew in 2009, beating Balliol calendar. regattas. potential rowing talent of the South & Exeter College, Oxford on the West universities. Being asked my Wednesday, before losing to Durham The rivalry between the two Clubs Matthew Ridley opinion on how we could help plan for University on the Thursday. continues throughout the season, of UBBC Captain, 2009/10 the 2016 Olympics after only three course, with each Club looking to go years of rowing made me realise just 2010 and beyond at least one better than the other every how awesome our sport is! The Bristol crews at Henley Royal time they meet. On occasions the Regatta in 2009 contained many competitiveness has perhaps gone a The UBBC is ‘ h o m e - g r o w n ’ oarsmen and coxes, little too far, for example this year’s also worthy of mention, as it present- proving that our Novice squads are heated discussions about the colour of ed some interesting challenges early indeed the life-blood of our Club. The the ribbons on the Varsity Boat Race on in my term as Captain. The 2009 Men’s First VIII contained three row- medals! But all in all there is no doubt race came very close to being can- ers who learnt their trade at Bristol, that the relationship between UBBC celled due to an extremely fast stream. whereas the Second and Third VIIIs and UWE is enormously positive for UBBC’s Women’s Novice First contained six members each. The race is a vital source of income both Clubs and for rowing in the VIII racing at Quintin Head. for the Club, however, so it was South West. Bristol will always have to face the important for the race to go ahead if UBBC’s Senior Men’s First VIII in training at Saltford. fact that top junior oarsmen are there was a way of achieving this safe- attracted to rowing at other GB l y. In the end, the race was able to Rowing funded institutions. proceed with the Novice crews racing Consequently our facilities and provi- upstream (i.e. in the opposite direction sion for coaching cannot match those to the Senior crews) and the length of of some of these other clubs, despite the third division race being halved to UBBC 'C' on the stakeboats at Henley Royal Regatta. the generosity of John Rutley at A- a 1300m sprint. GAS and others (including, of course, 6 UBBC ALUMNI UBBC ALUMNI 3 against crews stacked with GB level Hammersmith Head. Our Men’s IM3 Everyone at UBBC appreciates the THE RISE AND RISE OF B R I S TO L rowers. This crew is the lightest we crew also won their division of the support of our Alumni during the have ever had, at an average weight of Hammersmith Head. regatta season, and I look forward to 79kg. seeing as many of you as possible on NOVICE ROWING Cont . . . Our Senior Men’s First VIII were not the riverbank over the next couple of Our Senior Women have a dedicated as successful as hoped at the Head of our Alumni). We have only one pro- coaches and athletes involved that we At the Head of the River Race in months. As always, Henley Royal First VIII this year that has produced the River Race in March, finishing have seen so much success at this London, UBBC finished third in the Regatta (Wednesday 30 June to fessional coach at Bristol, whose some very good performances, and our 48th overall and fifth in the Halladay Novice division, behind Imperial Sunday 4 July) will be the season’s e fforts are focussed on the Senior level over the past five years. Novice Women have a squad of over Trophy, behind a number of crews College and Oxford Brookes. The highlight for our supporting Alumni. Men’s squad; all the other squads rely thirty rowers. However, our Novice which they had beaten at the BUCS So what does 2010 have in store for squad currently train ten times per on volunteers to coordinate their Women lack good quality boats to row Regatta. The crew were naturally dis- In particular, I hope to meet many of B r i s t o l ’s Men’s Novices? Richard week and hope to gain further speed in. In fact, with our fundraising coaching. appointed with this result, particularly you at the fundraising dinner at Poole, along with Peter Ashford, is on an Easter training camp – another emphasis now totally on the new boat as they had shown their speed in coaching the squad again and we successful regatta season in 2010 is Leander Club, Henley, on the Saturday Yet Bristol is very competitive at the house at Saltford (see page 8 of this pieces against the Oxford University havealready seen some strong results. certainly on the cards. of Henley Royal Regatta (details of Novice level, where talent is nurtured newsletter for further details), the Lightweight Men’s crews at Henley At the BUCS Head Race the squad Club’s ongoing need for new boats and which are on page 8 of this newslet- and accelerated in a short space of the previous week. were in evenly matched VIIIs, finish- equipment has been put on the back ter). Alumni who have entered the time, often beating those funded insti- fantastic raffle to be drawn at the din- ing second and eighth out of 42 crews Adam Mackenzie burner. The Men’s Senior squad were in tutions. It is a testament to all the ner will be pleased to know that I have entered. UBBC 2005-2009 Holland in early April for our annual had to go back into training in order to A new Men’s First VIII will be needed ‘super compensation’ training camp to next year to continue the hand me prepare for the regatta season, which lift the enormous Nebuchadnezar of down process in the Club, so if any kicks off with the BUCS Regatta in 2005 claret which was recently deliv- Alumni are feeling generous next year Nottingham in early May and runs ered to me here in Bristol. The lucky after the new boat house is complete, through to our ultimate goal, Henley winner of this prize will need to find a you know who to speak to! Royal Regatta, in late June/early July. suitable occasion (and plenty of friends) to pull the cork on this very At last year’s BUCS Regatta in In Holland we were without the stroke special bottle. Nottingham we won a Silver medal in of the Men’s First VIII, Ben Bathurst, the Men’s Championship Coxless IV who had been selected for the GB Gordon Trevett and a Bronze medal in the Men’s Under 23 trials at Hazewinkel. D i re c t o r of Rowing and High Championship Coxed IV. We got a Congratulations to Ben, who is the Performance Manager, University very bad draw in the Men’s first GB Under 23 trials rower UBBC of Bristol Championship VIII final, and finished has had in my time with the Club. fifth in the crosswind.

Nevertheless, on the strength of their Ben Bathurst stroking UBBC’s Silver medal-winning performance, our Men’s Coxless IV was selected to Senior Men’s First VIII represent Great Britain in the in training at Saltford. European University Sports Association Championships in Poland last September. Many of the crews UBBC 'C' racing against Durham University at Henley Royal Regatta. racing in Poland had just come from the World Championships the week before, and were their countries’ national squads. In a field of that qual- V I E W FROM THE LAUNCH...... ity, we were pleased to finish second Bristol's Director of Rowing reports on the view from his coaching launch. in the B Final, having lead all the way until the last stroke. Every morning when I walk into our who are advised to study there by GB continue to produce winning crews Gordon Trevett, UBBC’s Centre for Sport, one of the first things Rowing. We rarely get GB level row- year after year. We are very grateful We have had two head race wins in the Director of Rowing. I see is a photo of a very young Chris ers coming to Bristol, as we are told for Ritchie’s and Peter’s hard work Men’s IM2 category so far this year, at Hartley alongside a photo of our 1991 that our University is ‘academically over the years, which has quite often the Quintin Head and the Temple Challenge Cup winning crew unfriendly’. If that means we do not put their partners into the ‘rowing at Henley Royal Regatta. Every compromise on academic excellence, widow’ category! morning it is a stark reminder of what then that is probably right. is still to be achieved. As shown in Adam Mackenzie’s arti- This is not something for which we cle on the cover of this newsletter, we produce ‘home grown’ top Senior row- The funding support which the should apologise, but it does present ers within a year or two from our Amateur Rowing Association is giving us with the ‘underdog’ challenge; a Novice intake each year. Our Senior to other universities has meant that challenge which we are happy to rise Men’s First VIII’s recent third position they can employ many professional to. Our Men’s Novices are coached by in the BUCS Head Race in rowing coaches. These universities, in Ritchie Poole, a current student, and Peterborough (rowing in the ‘Liz UBBC’s Senior Men’s Coxless IV, representing Great Britain at the EUSA Championships, 2009. turn, attract top GB Junior rowers, Peter Ashford, an Alumnus, who Hatfield’) was an excellent result 4 UBBC ALUMNI UBBC ALUMNI 5