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For UYBC, the Fresher’s Fair on Saturday 16th October proved to be a huge success. The club saw a huge number of potential rowers sign up, with many taking part in the ‘erg competition’ to see who could race 100 m on the rowing machine in the quickest time, with the fastest rower winning free autumn term membership. The number of new freshers or “novices” joining the club has been whittled down to 55 women and 53 men, all eager to gain a seat in a racing crew.
Novice captains Richard Nixon and Becca Kay have been busy getting the novices into shape. On the women’s squad, basic boat technique is the focus, as well as improving fitness. Meanwhile the novice men’s squad is being knocked into shape through intense cardio training such as circuits squad runs and erg tests. Let’s hope all the preparation pays off for winter racing!
Whilst freshers are being transformed into rowers, the senior crews have been training intensely as usual, preparing for the Fuller’s Head of the River Fours in London on 14th November. The men’s squad is taking one 4+ to London, with Sam Agass, a newly graduated novice at the bow seat; Tom Bulpitt in his new position as strokeman; Johnathan Appleton, the senior men’s captain and Oscar Neilson, returning from a successful Henley campaign last summer along with Tom and John. The women’s squad will be taking two 4+, with Hannah Kirton, Catherine Oliver, Pip Maloney and Lara Wainwright in a crew coxed by Ellie Cooper, and a crew of Alex Mahan, Charlotte Bentley, Rosy Temple and Laura Mcfarlane coxed by Ngaio Simpson, senior women’s captain.
Then comes Small Boats Head on 21st November which takes place on our very own River Ouse. Put the date in your diaries and please come down to Millennium Bridge to support UYBC! As well as this, both senior and novice rowers have the Indoor Rowing Championships in Leeds on December 4th to look forward too.
UYBC has also been busy off the water, with the committee organising sponsorship and having a major fundraising focus. Watch out for rowers bag packing at Marks and Spencer’s on 3rd December, and a 100 mile row on a rowing machine in the York Railway Station on 7th December. Ziggys Nightclub on a Wednesday night is feeling the full force of UYBC, with socials in which everyone went all out with the dressing up and had a great time.
It looks to be a great start to the year for the University of York Boat Club, we wish them luck!
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