Information for Novices

Get talking to anyone at Sidney and more often than not it transpires that they have, at some point, tried their hand at rowing. Sidney Sussex Boat Club offers everyone in college the opportunity to row, cox or coach, allowing them to make use of our boathouse and other training equipment entirely for free.

At Sidney, you would be hard pushed to find anyone who has actually rowed before they arrive. Most have never even sat in a rowing boat. However, whatever level of rowing you start off with and whatever level you aim to achieve, there will be a crew for you. It really is the taking part that counts. Some students only row for one term, others have gone on to represent the university, whilst many are content simply with rowing to represent their college and, most importantly, to have fun.

One of the main advantages of rowing, aside from the obvious fitness benefits, is the social aspect that it brings. From rowing as part of a crew to formal halls with other college crews and college Boat Club Dinners, all ensure that you get to know a lot of people in a short space of time, often making firm friends along the way.

 

Last term was one of our most successful for several years, with all six of the Sidney crews involved managing to row back to the boathouse amid cheering and applause after victories in the May Bumps - one of the most anticipated and well supported events in the Cambridge sporting calendar. Termly training culminates in university-wide races such as Bumps, and occasionally includes off-Cam training and racing for some of the senior boats, all of which helps provide focus for our progression as a club.

 

If you’re new to rowing, make sure you come along to one of our tubbing sessions in Freshers’ Week. They last just twenty minutes, and give you and a friend an opportunity to learn the basics and try your hand at rowing before deciding whether it’s for you. Afterwards those of you keen to continue rowing will form crews with other novice rowers, mainly from your year. This is a unique opportunity to try the fastest growing sport in the UK without spending a penny, and also share in a vibrant social scene and have fun.

So, why join SSBC? Well, fitness, friendship and fun seem good enough reasons to me. That, and the fact that exceptionally early morning outings really are another of those Cambridge myths…

 

To find out more, make sure you come along to the Boat Club squash in Freshers’ Week, straight after Matriculation Dinner. This is a great opportunity to chat to our current squads, sign up for a tubbing session and grab a few cocktails (completely free of charge!) before heading out on the club night.

If you’d like more information about learning to row with SSBC, our vice-captains (James and Jeremy for the guys, Carys and Lisa for the girls) are happy to help. Or if you’re new to Sidney but have rowed before, our captain Michael and women’s captain Sarah would love to hear from you. Our e-mail addresses can all be found on the Committee page.