Novice Rowing 2009

Want to get involved in rowing? You're in the right place!

Whether you're arriving at Peterhouse for the first time or are deeply regretting not rowing before then read on... As the title of this page suggests, no previous rowing experience is needed. In fact, the majority of freshers take up rowing - whether it's to keep fit, be involved with the College's biggest, most active and most successful sports club or simply to meet loads of people and enjoy the social side.

The people you need to speak to are the Lower Boats Officers. Lauren and Will are running the novice squads this year and they can be contacted by email at wlbo[at]peterhousebc.org (Lauren) and mlbo[at]peterhousebc.org (Will). Lauren is a 2nd year engineer who learnt to row at Peterhouse and has since competed with the 1st Women's VIII since April. Will is a second year MBA who "won his oar" with the 2nd Men's VIII last spring after novicing at Peterhouse in 2008.

(If you've rowed/coxed before and want to get involved in our senior squads then Christina (women[at]peterhousebc.org) and Chris (men[at]peterhousebc.org) are the people to get in touch with.)

Don't worry if you haven't set foot in a boat before. Very few people arrive with prior experience and Michaelmas Term is the time that the majority of people learn to row.

We'll start off the term "tubbing" in a small, virtually unsinkable, two person boat and then gradually move on up to the IVs and VIIIs. The aim is to compete against all the other novice College crews in the Fairbairn Cup at the end of term.

Alternatively, learn to cox - a rewarding, responsible position. (All the benefits of rowing but with none of the hard work!) If you fancy giving coxing a go then get in touch ASAP as our crews won't go very far without a driver!

So...   ...Why Row?

• Enjoyment: Rowing combines technical expertise with fitness and crew spirit to produce the ultimate team sport.
• Social Scene: From the infamous formal swaps with other Colleges to BBQs and fabulous end of term dinners. You'll never be short of opportunities to drink, eat and be merry!
• Academic Benefits: Rowing can add both structure and a breath of fresh air to your day whether you're a science or arts student. A disproportionate number of Boat Club members hold scholarships due to 1st class results in exams.
• Health Benefits: Rowing will improve both your fitness and strength.
• CV Points: Put "rowing" and "Cambridge" near each other on a CV and you will instantly appear well organised, motivated, a good team player...  ...the list goes on.
• Excitement: Competing in the annual inter-College events as well as travelling to national head races and regional regattas is great fun.

Ultimately though, it's great fun and that's why the club is full of so many great people.

The Myths...   ...Busted

• You Need to be Huge: Rubbish. Our success this term depends on technical excellence and not on piling eight gorillas into a boat and shouting at them.
• I'll Be Too Busy: Rowing is organised around lectures, labs and supervisions at times to suit you. At the end of the day we are all here to study for a degree and it is frequently demonstrated that rowing and first class marks are often related...

How to Find the Boathouse

• Follow somone who knows where to go.
• Click here to see it on the University Map.
• Look at the clever map below...

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	Printable Directions [PDF]	634.71 KB