Not Operational
Lighting Times
September 8th:
06:55-20:51
September 9th:
06:57-20:49
Posted: Tuesday 10 June 2008, 12:32PM by Mike Marsh
Well done to W3 for getting on, and unlucky M4 for just missing out.
This year's May Bumps look very promising for SSBC, everyone ought to be looking to do well.
The times of our crews' races during the week are as follows (the Saturday
races are 2 hours earlier):
1:00pm - 2nd and 3rd women's boats
1:45pm - 2nd and 3rd men's boats
5:30pm - 1st women's boat
6:15pm - 1st men's boat
The 2nd men are looking like they may be able to move up a division, in
which case they'd be racing at 3:15pm (1:15pm on Saturday).
Good luck to everyone involved, and we'd be delighted if as many people as possible came down to the river to cheer us on!
Posted: Wednesday 11 June 2008, 10:23PM by Jeremy Coulon
At long last, we all (even Peter) revealed our wonderful all-in-ones, instantly making the rest of the boat club hugely jealous. We had a marvelous row down, with some splendid weather, and anxiously counted down the minutes until the final gun.
After a slightly suspect start, during which Queens M4, the boat in front of us, gained about half a length, we lengthened well, and settled into our rhythm. We were slowly catching them up, as whistles where being blown all over the place. A cheeky glance over my shoulder confirmed that they were within spitting distance, and a few agonising seconds later it was all over - all our hard work over the term had been worthwhile.
Brilliant job gentlemen!
Edited on Thu, 12th Jun 08 by Lisa Meegan
Posted: Wednesday 11 June 2008, 10:40PM by James Gill
Race 1 - Division 5
Bumped Christ's III
The performance of M2 over the last couple of years has been somewhat less than stella: we knew that we were in with at least half a chance of doing well on the first day.
As we rowed up to the starting point we did two practice starts, which were pretty tidy. Naturally we were somewhat nervous sitting at the start, however we did our best to compose ourselves as the one minute gun went and the counting down begun. Bill pushed us out and we came forward to front-stops.
The draws and the winds of the start were relatively good and within what seemed like only a very few stroke we heard the sound of Bill blowing the first whistle - we had started to gain a significant amount of ground on Christ's III. After we passed First Post Corner we the stroke rate rose from a reasonably sustainable 34 strokes per minute to an unsustainable 37 strokes per minute. However, we did manage to rectify this with a call to lengthen out our strokes more.
After we had rounded Grassy Corner we came within half a boat length of Christ's. As we came around Ditton Corner we drew closer and closer to Christ's and managed to obtain the required overlap. Eight kill strokes later we obtained M2's first May Bumps bump for the last couple of years.
Since Christs III were at the top of the fifth men's division we now took that spot which meant that we were the sandwich boat and thus had to race again in about an hour and a half's time. Somewhat elated, if rather exhausted, we paddled down to the P & E and spent our free time wondering around and discussing race tactics.
Race 2 - Division 4
Rowed over
Rowing up to the start we were hopeful that we would be able to bump Clare Hall I, who were in front of us. Our start in this race was not as good as it had been in the first race however by wind strokes we had got it together. We pushed hard, however we were unable to take ground off of Clare Hall. Unfortunately as we neared the end of Plough Reach we lost a seat, which in turn caused us to catch a crab. However, by this time the day's earlier race was beginning to tell on us and we were beginning to slow down. Once we got half way down the reach we decided to drop the rating and gently finish the course, in order to conserve energy for tomorrow.
This leaves us in the position of starting tomorrow as the sandwich boat and needing to row over at the top of the fifth division to get a better chance at bumping Clare Hall. Despite the slight disappointment at rowing over in the fourth division we were very pleased with our bump on Christ's III.
Edited on Thu, 12th Jun 08 by Lisa Meegan
Edited on Thu, 12th Jun 08 by James Gill
Posted: Thursday 12 June 2008, 10:12AM by Lisa Meegan
Bumped by Clare III
Losing Rachel to W2 meant Sophie B and Dan were the only members of the crew with bumps experience, so the girls were understandably nervous. Jesus IV and Clare III behind had both come through the Getting on Race, so we knew things would be pretty tight.
A good start kept the girls on station with both crews, and a Clare III crab just before the motorway bridge opened up an extra length behind us. Spurred on by the shouts from W2 (who for once had had to row past the motorway bridge for their bump!), the girls pushed on into the corners. Clare III were inching closer, and coming into Grassy there was only about half a length between the boats.
For a moment it looked as though we might claim a bump on Jesus, who took such a wide line into Grassy they were lucky not to hit the outside bank, but coming into Plough Reach Clare III found the overlap and Dan was soon forced to concede the bump.
A disappointing end to a first bumps race for most of the crew, but it was a gutsy performance and the girls held Clare well for quite a long time. Hopefully we can look forward to success later in the week.
Posted: Thursday 12 June 2008, 11:59AM by Sarah Wood
Rowed over
After a tidy row down to the start, nerves in the boat were running high. We knew that Caius II were likely to bump out in front of us unless we could catch them quickly, and they obviously knew that too, since they put everything into the first stretch of the race and then were about to die on the point of catching Girton II. We were half a length off them when they bumped out, so had to stop, wait, and wind up to race pace again for the row over.
Although we would have preferred a bump, we did quite well, the row over felt fairly nice and obviously the support from Sidneyites scattered along the bank helped massively. W1 can be expected to do well over the next few days, and any support is appreciated.
Edited on Fri, 13th Jun 08 by Lisa Meegan
Posted: Thursday 12 June 2008, 7:26PM by James Gill
Race 1 - Division 5
Rowed over
Our aim in this race was to maintain our position at the head of the division, which would mean rowing over. Although we had added confidence derived from our success in bumping Christ's III yesterday we still knew that we would have to row a solid race in order to hold them off for the whole course.
Some cox box problems at the start meant that our start was not as solid as it had been yesterday. Whereas we had gained on Christ's III on the start yesterday we lost about half a length to them off the start. However the problem with the cox box soon resolved itself and were once more able to hear our cox clearly. We managed to get things back together and start to push off from Christ's. Although they did sometimes get to about a length away from us and we rounded corners we were able to push away from them and maintained a good gap between the boats all the way to the finish line.
Although it was a a hard row over, it was also a good one. We rowed together well and maintained a steady and sustainable rating. Importantly we showed that we have the stamina to last a row over whilst being constantly chased by another boat. This did, once more, leave us in the position of being the sandwich boat and thus having to race again at the bottom of the fourth division.
Race 2 - Division 4
Rowed over
In this second race of the day we aimed, once more, to catch Clare Hall I. We knew that it would be no easy feat, given that we had already rowed one hard race that afternoon. We pushed as hard as we could off of the start in the hope that we would be able to catch them. However we were not able to make up the requisite ground and Clare Hall I succeeded in bumping Churchill III. Given that there were no further boats in front who we could hope to bump we reduced the rating in order to conserve energy for tomorrow when we'll be aiming to row over at the top of the fifth division once more and then attempt to bump Churchill III in the fourth.
Edited on Fri, 13th Jun 08 by Lisa Meegan
Posted: Thursday 12 June 2008, 11:52PM by Jeremy Coulon
With decidedly less clement weather today, we paddled down to the lock, putting in a few good practice starts along the way. We were buoyed by the success of the day before, and eagerly awaited the start.
Queen's M4 caught us a little bit on the start, but as soon as we started lengthening out our strokes we started to pull away from them, and it wasn't long before they were bumped by a strong Emma M4. Unfortunately we were chasing an exceptionally good St. Edmund's M2, containing five of their M1 rowers from last term (due to the ridiculous number of blues rowers now propping up their M1). They didn't get away from us that quickly, but nonetheless their power and experience got the better of us, and they ended up double-overbumping LMBC V, while we had to be content with our rowover (completely obliterating the LMBC VI boat behind Emma, who were nowhere to be seen when we finished - they were probably almost 30 boat lengths behind us).
Edited on Fri, 13th Jun 08 by Lisa Meegan
Posted: Friday 13 June 2008, 9:57AM by Lisa Meegan
Rowed over
Thanks to inside information from boathouse neighbours Girton, the girls were well aware that they'd have little more than 20 strokes to go at Kings II before they claimed the bump on Girton III. A quick start was definitely needed, but I doubt anyone could have produced a start quick enough - thanks to a crab, Girton covered more distance towards the bank than forwards before they were bumped, not even making the motorway bridge from the station immediately before it!
Now at the head of the division, the girls were facing a frustrating row over. Behind, Downing III were soon battling to hold off Jesus IV, and by Plough Reach the river had cleared behind our women. They took it down on the Reach, and after a relatively easy row home will be looking forward to their chance at revenge on Girton III today.
Posted: Friday 13 June 2008, 10:06AM by Lisa Meegan
Bumped Girton II
After yesterday's frustration, we were looking forward to our chance at revenge on Girton II. The start wasn't our best, but we were soon making up ground on them. By the time we'd reached our stride, we were gaining quickly, and although we never really settled into a comfortable rhythm, there wasn't really the time or the need to. Things got a little scrappy under the motorway bridge where the wash was especially bad, but by then we had overlap and the bump was ours.
We pulled in just through the bridge to celebrate, collected our greenery and amused the motorway bridge photographer with a quick moose impression before a proud row home.
Sadly Downing II, who had started behind us, went on to overbump a tiring Caius II, denying us a second chance to bump them today. Downing II will prove harder to get, but we know we're capable and we hope to go out and prove ourselves today.
Posted: Friday 13 June 2008, 4:55PM by Jeremy Coulon
Bumped LMBC M5
We paddled down to the lock knowing that today would be the most important day of all - either we'd get LMBC M5, and go up two or three, or we'd get bumped by Emma M4 and end up staying level if not dropping by one overall. We had the pleasure of passing the Master on First Post Reach, who wished us well for the coming race.
Our start was the best we've ever done, and the powerful Emma M4 boat behind us never gained at all (despite their confidence while we were marshalled at Chesterton - they had previously been on for blades). LMBC did well too, and we didn't gain on them much until we got to the motorway bridge, when we started to reel them in. We finally got them right by First Post corner, but they continued on to the outside corner leaving us nowhere to go but the inside corner, thereby unfortunately holding Emma up somewhat.
It was absolutely fantastic - a great moment. We capped it off by having to row 'three strokes to arms away' on the way home behind Fitzwilliam M3, whom we're chasing tomorrow.. Fingers crossed!
Well done to all the other Sidney boats who've bumped up today, especially the fantastic M2 who managed to secure a place in the fourth division with an absolutely stunning row!
Edited on Sat, 14th Jun 08 by Jeremy Coulon
Edited on Sat, 14th Jun 08 by Jeremy Coulon
Posted: Friday 13 June 2008, 11:19PM by James Gill
Another day, another two races...
Arriving at the boathouse we mused over the fact that as a result of being sandwich boat we had already rowed four races - the equivalent of what one boat usually rows in the whole of a bumps week! We knew what we had to do - our first target was to row over in front of Christ's III at the top of division 5 and then have a shot at Churchill III at the bottom of the fourth division.
Race 1 - Division 5
Rowed over
Our start was a lot better than the start we had managed the previous day which was at least partly a function of the fact that we had a cox box which worked from the start. For most of the race we were able to hold Christ's III two lengths or so off us, which has helped by some good cornering. However, as we came under the railway bridge and started to near the finish they gained some ground on us, however we held out to complete a hard, but satisfying row over. This left us with, once more, the opportunity to attempt to bump into the fourth division and remove ourselves from the unenviable position of sandwich boat.
Race 2 - Division 4
Bumped Churchill III
We knew that we had a chance in this race - Clare Hall I were no longer in front of us and we were chasing Churchill III. However, we were still recovering from our race earlier in the day so it was going to be far from easy. We put in a good start and after a short while we received our first whistle - we were gaining on Churchill III. This gave us heart and we continued to push and in time received both our second and third sets of whistles. Aided by an excellent line around Grassy Corner we were able to bump Churchill III on Plough Reach, just before the pub.
This means that we are no longer the sandwich boat and therefore only have to row once tomorrow, in the fourth division. All in all it was a very successful, productive and satisfying day for M2. Well done chaps!
Edited on Fri, 13th Jun 08 by James Gill
Posted: Saturday 14 June 2008, 12:04AM by Lisa Meegan
What can I say - W2 bumped Girton III in less strokes than the number of words in this race report!!!
Posted: Sunday 15 June 2008, 9:04AM by Jeremy Coulon
Rowed over
With the huge crowds cheering us on we made our way down to the lock for the final time. We knew the boats behind us would almost certainly all bump out, so had nothing to lose - the only trouble being that Jesus M5, who were two in front of us, were on for spoons, so we feared they might be caught before we could catch Fitz M3.
We pushed hard off the start, and gave it everything we had, but when we eventually managed to get a whistle Fitz pushed off us very well, and we ended up pretty much chasing them down the course on station with them. A most impressive performance from them, and from Jesus M5 who managed to row over in front of them - it was clear that Fitz had been very unlucky to get bumped on the first two days.
As for M3 - we finished the May Bumps up 2, which was the best a men's boat had done for several years (the last time a boat did better was, I think, M3 in 2002 when they got blades). We certainly did ourselves proud over the course of the four days - M3, it was an absolute pleasure rowing with you guys this term.
Many thanks to the people who bank-partied us, especially our wonderful coach Nick Porter!
Posted: Monday 16 June 2008, 5:38PM by Lisa Meegan
Rowed over
Having been denied our chance of a second chance at Caius II and an easy bump by Downing II's overbump, we knew things would be more difficult than we'd first hoped. Behind us, Girton II, Caius II and Corpus vanished quickly into a chaotic three-boat-sandwich, so with no threat against us we were hoping to make an impression on Downing II ahead.
We were rowing well, but unfortunately couldn't quite find the edge we needed to make up the ground between us and Downing. At times they moved a little ahead, and at times we moved to within station, but we never quite managed to get the whistle we were hoping to hear.
Posted: Monday 16 June 2008, 5:47PM by Lisa Meegan
Bumped Downing II
Once again, we were chasing Downing II, and we were hoping to make it a tougher day for them. Ahead of them, Homerton were likely to bump New Hall, and with clear river ahead of them and us pushing behind, we hoped we'd finally be able to crack Downing.
We got off to a good start, with a strong push under the motorway bridge, and by the time we reached the Gut we were just inside station. Coming around Grassy, Homerton and New Hall bumped out, and with Downing aware that a bump for them was now out of the question we made our move. As we came out of Grassy, we heard our first whistle. Everyone responded well to Owen's calls for a big push, and as we approached Ditton corner we began to edge closer and closer to Downing II.
Encouraged by the crowds and the increasing noise of whistles (and a hooter) from our bank party, we pushed hard into Ditton. Owen's kill call increased the boat speed further as we reached overlap, and just as we came into the reach we were told to hold it up.
This was the furthest any of us had ever had to row for a bump, which made it all the more satisfying as we knew we'd really earnt it, capping off an excellent term for W1 with a fantastic result.
Thanks to everyone who has coached, bank partied or supported us this term!
Posted: Tuesday 17 June 2008, 10:14AM by Sarah Parks
Bumped Magdalene 3 and Kings 2
Now 2nd in our division we knew today was the day we really needed to try hard so we could move up to the 4th division. Due to unexpected bumps in the division above the day before (partly due to one of the boats not turning up) we were chasing Magdalene 3.
After a tidy row up with some good practice starts we waited anxiously on the bank for the four minute gun, and explained to Alice how exactly bumps worked. When the go gun went we had a good start and settled into a good rhythm, we were aware that this was going to be a bit tougher than bumping girton so were out for a good race. We got our first whistle just after the motorway bridge and then powered on, catching them on first post corner.
We were now the sandwich boat so rowed back down to the penny ferry and span and waited for the next race. In the next race we were chasing kings 2 but had heard a rumour the boat they were chasing wasnt going to turn up again, so we would have to go for an overbump on Newnham 4 if we wanted to stay in this division. However as the four minute gun was going CCAT 3 did indeed turn up so now it was a race to catch Kings before they caught CCAT.
We got off to another good start and were closing on kings when Rob called that we had to do this quickly as there was carnage under the motorway bridge and we wouldn't be able to get through. We made a big push and caught them just before the motorway bridge. We then pulled in, got our greenery and flag and rowed home extremely happy and proud.
A big thank you to both Rachel and Alice who subbed in during the week due to Becky's illness, you were both fantastic.
Edited on Tue, 17th Jun 08 by Sarah Parks
Posted: Sunday 22 June 2008, 11:55AM by Mike Marsh
The first day saw us sandwiched between the Herculean teachers from Homerton behind and the Blue boat rowing in fancy dress St. Edmunds lycra in front. We’d heard rumours that the Eddies crew had suffered a couple of national call-ups, a problem that regularly blights SSBC, especially this Olympic year…
The row down was a little nervy, but otherwise pretty solid, made all the better by the crew’s matching kit (except for O’Boy, of course, who still hasn’t figured out how to enter his card details into Godfrey’s…). We had a strong practice start outside the Plough and were feeling confident, despite our impossible position on the Bumps chart.
A couple of stories of the more outrageous Sidney Boat Club Dinners past from Martin helped settle the nerves and we got into the boat at the four minute gun expectantly: could we in fact get Eddies before they got a snail-like Catz. II? The answer was in fact a resounding ‘no’. Despite a strong start, where we made ground on Eddies, getting a whistle, and initially pushing of Homerton, they ground us down over the course of First Post Reach, leaving us to concede the bump just as we entered the Gut.
We were disappointed, but not despondent. Homerton were just a more powerful crew than us, and we knew that rowing over in front of them would have been a big ask.
Helpfully, on the row home, my back went out, leaving bow 6 to take us all the way back to the boat house, and M1 with an uncertain week ahead…
Posted: Sunday 22 June 2008, 11:56AM by Mike Marsh
Most of the talk on the Thursday was about subs: who, when and where they should be used, or if they’d be needed at all. After a day on a cocktail of painkillers my back wasn’t feeling great, and it looked like we might have to shuffle things around a bit to make room for a sub. Eventually, after an impossibly large dosage of ibuprofen (Me: “…so, should I take one or two of these then?”, Martin: “best make it three…”) and enough deep heat to melt a polar ice cap, it was decided I should row.
We paddled down to marshalling knowing that today was going to be a hard row: we had to really pull something out of the bag if wanted to catch Homerton before they bumped Catz, otherwise there was the long row-over in front of Queens’ II to avoid becoming sandwich boat…
When we pulled into the bank Jan and Martin decided to guess each others ages, the answers coming out at 34 and 38 respectively, who’d have thought it? Mid-twenties surely? Meanwhile, we in the boat were thinking about what lay ahead and that if we put our plan into effect we could still come out with a successful bumps campaign.
The row up was alright, a little tentative, but a couple of reasonable practice starts helped. We pulled in up at the other end, far too near the lock for my liking – only having one boat behind you isn’t terribly nice – and waited for the cannons.
The start gun went and disaster! We fluffed a draw stroke and lurched horribly to one side. It took a couple of strokes to recover fully, but the boat accelerated over the winds and lengthens and we settled at a high, powerful rating, taking back the half length we’d lost to Queens’ off the start.
According to our bankparty we got within about a length of Homerton before they bumped Catz, leaving us to go after the overbump on Eddies, who, apparently, we were gaining on (I’d been suspicious about the number of Blues they’d put in the Bumps Programme from the start…). We opened up a few lengths on Queens’: their bankparty, clearly oblivious of how the whistles system works (one blast for a length, two for half a length, three for canvas and continuous for overlap), decided to whistle anyway. This spurred us on even more and we settled into a nice strong rhythm for the row-over, giving us a chance at the spooning Catz. on the Friday.
Posted: Sunday 22 June 2008, 11:56AM by Mike Marsh
With a free falling Catz boat in front and a reasonable, but by no means brilliant Queens’ II behind us, we were confident of a good result. Most of the talk was about where we’d bump rather than whether we’d do it at all. It turned out that it’d take a little longer than we thought, however.
A wobbly start saw Queens’ II move towards us (they had a pretty quick start anyway), and their bankparty got all whistle happy again… The prospect of falling into the third division was not an appealing one though and we got ourselves back together and started pushing into Catz. By the Motorway Bridge we had a whistle and we pushed on down First Post Reach, getting two whistles as we approached the corner. Some appalling umpiring from the bank forced us to take the wide line and we lost half a length through the Gut. This was not what we’d planned, we were hoping for a quick easy bump… Drawing back up to within striking distance on the approach to Grassy, we went for the kill, but as is always the way with Bumps, just missed out. This forced us wide on Grassy, and we lost ground again…
Just at this point, after a chorus of whistles for our entire race, the whistles stopped and everyone’s hearts sank. Had Catz really slipped away unbumped? Soon after though we heard what sounded like the cannon going off again… it turned out it was actually Rob thumping away at Catz’s stern making absolutely sure that we’d made contact. We got the hold it up call. We’d made the bump!
Everyone was exhausted, but utterly elated. For many in the boat, this was their first bump. As people crowded around our boat congratulating us, Rob’s dad pushed to the front and asked me “can you catch?” Before I could answer I had a bottle of champagne launched at me, which I only just managed to hang on to by the skin of my teeth. Greenery was collected and we rowed home triumphant with our eyes on Eddies for the final day.
Posted: Sunday 22 June 2008, 11:57AM by Mike Marsh
It was the final day and we saw ourselves lining up behind St. Edmund’s once again. The bump the day before had buoyed up our confidence and we went in thinking that we could definitely do something special. We knew that there was little danger from behind, so all our attention was focussed on how we sneak the bump on a more powerful Blues-packed Eddies crew. We decided to go strong off the start and take Catz II and Queens’ II out of the equation early on and then settle and press on to grind out the bump over the length of the course.
The row down was superb; everything came together beautifully in front of the enormous crowds that the final day of Mays inevitably draw. Our practice starts were strong and as we passed the spectators lining the banks the boat sat up well, each stroke long and powerful. Things were looking and feeling good.
When the race finally got underway we put our plan into practice almost perfectly. We pushed well off Catz despite them flying off the start, and Queens’ caught them somewhere around the Gut, leaving us in control of our own race. We pushed on, Veronica taking some good lines, and were steadily closing on Eddies. As we rounded Ditton into the Reach, our bankparty gave us a whistle, lifting the boat. We continued with our strong steady rhythm and drew even closer. Halfway down the Reach we got our ‘Jump’ call and we went for the kill. We moved to within half a length of Eddies and Jan went crazy on the whistle, but they put in a move of their own and pulled away leaving us with only a row-over, but a row-over we were all very pleased with.
We knew that we were quicker than our final position indicated, we were just a victim of Bumps: being stuck near crews who were of a similar pace or quicker than us. We took the opportunities we were given, and there wasn’t one day, with the exception of possibly the first (although Homerton did go on to win blades), where we were disappointed with our row. In all, it was a successful Mays for both the club and for M1.