The Club's Results
Summer 2003
Kingston Amateur Regatta
Sat 12th July
A 1000m three-lane regatta, held on the River Thames in South West London
Kingston is well-known to First and Third, as it has hosted numerous Easter training camps. This regatta, held the weekend after Henley Royal, is occasionally entered by College rowers who have stayed in Cambridge for the summer, often with alumni.
Bedford Quarts Regatta
Sun 13th July
A 600m side-by-side race on the Ouse in Bedford, from the suspension bridge to the BRC clubhouse
A popular summer regatta for those club members still in Cambridge, also attended by the University development squads. Its name derives from the unusually large tankards presented to winners.
National Championships
Fri 18th - Sun 20th July
A prestigious annual event, including junior and U23 categories, raced as a knock-out regatta over 2000 m
Alex Summers, one of First and Third's University lightweight colours & winner of the Fairbairn Jnr Sculls and Bushe-Fox Freshman's sculls, came 4th overall in single sculls. Although officially representing his home club, he deserves our congratulations.
Molesey Amateur Regatta
Sat 19th July
A fun side by side knock-out regatta over 1000m on the river Thames at Molesey.
With most students away from Cambridge for the summer, there is little college level rowing. However, over the last three or four years, First and Third and old boys have entered various summer sprint regattas - a great way to make the most of the good weather and keep the rowing going over the summer break.
St Neots Regatta
Sat 26th July
A 1000m race on the Great Ouse at St Neots
At the height of the summer holidays, First and Third entries at St Neots normally only come from the few members who have stayed on throughout the long vac - often in composite with alumni. The course is well known for a sharp bend near the start.
St Neots Sprint
Sun 27th July
a 500m sprint on the Great Ouse in St Neots
The second day of the St Neots regatta weekend, and racing is normally dulled by headaches from the parties on the night before.
BPBCCC vs Trinity BAs Cricket
Sun 3rd August
BPBC's elite cricketing talent take on the Trinity BAs as part of their warm-up tour for next year's defeat by FaT.
Peterborough Summer Regatta
Sat 9th August
A knock out multilane regatta over 1000m on the Peterborough City Rowing club rowing lake
A good summer venue with reasonable numbers and quality of opposition. There is a liver-poisoningly drunken party on the Saturday evening, usually involving naked rowing and pole climbing.
Peterborough Summer Sprint
Sun 10th August
A 4-lane 500m sprint on the Peterborough Rowing Lake.
A good chance to beat some quality opposition as they nurse their hangovers well into the afternoon.
Gloucester Regatta
Sat 23rd August
An 800m regatta held on the Gloucester and Sharpness Canal.
The first leg of the infamous Gloucester-Bristol-Ross combination; consumption of alcoholic beverages has been fairly conservative so far and so you can expect some reasonable competition.
Bristol Avon Regatta
Sun 24th August
A 500m regatta held next to the SS Great Britain on the historic Bristol docks.
The second part of the weekend including Gloucester and Ross regattas. Your opposition will no doubt be experiencing the effects of moderate consumption of drink from the night before; unfortunately, so will you.
Ross Regatta
Mon 25th August
A course of variable length, claimed to be 750m but undoubtedly much shorter, held on the ridiculously shallow and twisty River Wye.
The third and final leg of the bank holiday weekend regattas. The smell of flat beer fills the fields below the chocolate box town above. Some people can be found drinking in the morning light. Most people are soundly asleep at the time of their first race. Things inevitably run behind, but nobody cares. Although the course has a considerable bowside corner, most crews don't make it that far before hitting the bank, their opposition or a crew crawling down to the start. If you can resist the party the night before, you are almost certain to win your event.
Cambridge Autumn Regatta
Sun 7th September
600m side-by-side on the reach from the railway bridge to Ditton
One of the last regattas of the UK summer season, Cambridge Autumn is organised by the 99s. It's normally held too early in term to attract College rowers, but attracts rowers from the South East after one last pot.
Cambridge Alumni Regatta
Sat 27th September
A small regatta for old-boys (and girls!) crews organised by the University's Alumni Association and raced over about 600 m along the reach.
BPBC enter an VIII, joining crews from Caius, Girton, Fitzwilliam and Jesus in the main men's event. A glorious sunny day sees the Girton crew dispatched before losing to Caius in the final.