*****GLASGOW/EDINBURGH BOAT RACE DATE ANNOUNCED*******
Dear GUBC members, alumni and friends.

MARCH

Head of the River
On March 17th, 3 crews with GUBC members representing were involved in the Head of the River race on the Thames in London. Our Novice Men's Eight consisting of Fraser Macsporran, Tim Smith, Niall Fostyk, Dan Taylor-Sweet, Michael Brooks, Edmund Choo, Omar Abugharsa, Kenny Ayre and coxed by experienced cox Alanna Dunleavy did extremely well in a race that involved broken seats and crabs galore. The Nov8+ came 361st beating Novice crews from both Strathclyde University and Heriot Watt University.
Our Senior Men were separated for this race with 3 Lightweight members of the squad selected to row as part of a Scottish Argonauts lightweight crew. Elliott Clarke, Dan McSherry and Luke Cerexe all rowed with members of Heriot Watt and Edinburgh to come 105th. Despite a disappointing race for the crew, they still beat their heavyweight counterparts. Michael McNaul again joined with GRC to form the fastest Scottish crew in the event coming 41st. This is a tremendous achievement and gives a lot of excitement onto the upcoming sprint regatta's down south.

The weekend not only involved racing, but the traditional party at our friend Thames Rowing Club. After a Dougie Thoms inspired catch-up meal, some England vs. Ireland rugger watching, GUBC's finest let down their hair and watched the carnage unfold. Naturally this had nothing to do with GUBC....

FEBRUARY

Strathclyde University Head
Another successful event for GUBC in small boats with wins from our M0 2-, M Nov 1x, W R2 1x and W Nov 4+. These were great results considering the majority of the crews were either scratch or had hardly been out on water due to weather, so promising results for sprint season!

BUCS Head Regatta, Peterborough
For the first time GUBC Ladies Squad travelled down to Peterborough to take part in the British University University and College Regatta that highlights the best University crews across Britain. Our girls had a very good weekend with an eight entered into Intermediate placing 6th out of 23, our Intermediate 4+ placing 10th out of 23  and our Championship 4+ placing 10th and coming only 7 seconds behind a set Edinburgh crew. These are great results for the girls and it bodes them well for the upcoming Sprint season especially BUCS Sprint at Nottingham in May.

Clydesdale Amateur Rowing Club 4's, 8's and Scullers Head
Clydesdale's racing filled weekend was jammed packed with our crews performing to a high level. Men's Captain Michael McNaul joined our neighbours down the river Glasgow Rowing Club to become yet again the fastest Eight of the day, with our girls squad winning two pennants in W0 and WR2. The novice men (with a little help from Senior Fraser Malone) had a strong race in run up to HORR and were narrowly beaten by their nemesis Glasgow Schools, however did incredibly well to beat not only SUBC Novice Men's 8+ but also their Senior Men's 8+ too. The novice ladies yet again showed their keen attitude towards the sport by racing extremely well with one of the Novice 4+'s picking up the pennant in the Novice event.

JANUARY

GUBC Western Eight's Head of the River
Glasgow University Boat Club's very own Western Eight's Regatta was a terrific event that saw clubs from Scotland and England compete down the shortened 4k course. The weather running up to the event made the race only 4000m as opposed to the normal 5000m however a great days racing was had by all. The fastest Eight of the day was the composite Glasgow Rowing Club, Castle Semple and Glasgow University Boat Club crew including GUBC alumni and current Men's Captain Michael McNaul. The fastest ladies boat of the day was the Glasgow Rowing Club crew who won Women's R2. Both novice girls and guys had good rows with our Novice men beating a crew and missing out on the win narrowly to a quick Glasgow Schools crew, with the girls coming close in the field to other (non) novice crews. Well done to organisers Jess Lee and Mark Lees alongside other GUBC members who let the event run smoothly (including a 5* cake stand), and a huge thank you to all who participated!

Burns Supper
After a long days racing GUBC took to WEST Brewery for the annual Burns Supper. With piping by Gregor Wilkie and a Tam O' Shanter experience by Allie MacFarlane the night was a great success with good food, ceilidh dancing and scandal. Thanks to Social Sec. Nicole Baillie for organising the event.

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

PwC Roller Racing
PwC's Roller-Racing Challenge got adrenaline pumping on university campuses throughout October 2011. Each competitor completed 500m on the Roller-Racing machine, and Glasgow University produced some excellent times very early on in the challenge meaning throughout the tour they were the times to beat! After a month long tour PwC announced the overall winners and the Glasgow Boat Clubs very own Kenny Ayre was awarded the prize for fastest overall male, beating the runner-up competitor from Oxford University by just under a second. But that's not all, Jessica Lee was also placed as the runner-up female winner generating further prize money for the club. You'll be pleased to hear that this prize money has now been spent on 2 new cox boxes! Congratulations to our PwC roller-racing winners, who achieved outstanding results and pedalled their way to a great cash prizes for the good of the club! 

2012 Boat Club Dinner

Dear Argonauts, 

The President and Committee of Glasgow University Boat Club request the honour of your presence for our clubs’ annual Boat Club Dinner.
The Dinner takes place on Saturday 5th November 2011 at Glasgow University Union, 32 University Avenue, Glasgow, G12 8LX at 7.30pm.  It will be marking the previous and on-going successes of Glasgow University Boat Club and our Row 2012 Scheme put in place for the upcoming Olympic year.
Tickets are available now from Social Secretary Nicole Baillie who can be contacted at socialsec@glasgowubc.com or by myself at below email address.  As ever, we would love a large group of Alumni to return and attend and we welcome all Argonauts and friends whether this will be your first Club Dinner since leaving, or one of many. 

I hope to see many of you on the 5th!
Laura McGhie 
Club Captain 
GUBC 
email: captain@glasgowubc.com

Attention Freshers!!

  The 2012 season is not only an olympic year, but also the beginning of a fresh, sexy and exciting initiative for GUBC novices. It marks a revolution in novice training, racing and management. Whilst GUBC novice squads have always enjoyed much success and the level of team bonding in novice years is unrivalled, this year sees to build on the success of previous years with more ambitious and long-term goals.

This new initiative includes an influx of committed and talented coaches to bolster the squads already highly experienced and accomplished compliment of coaches to produce vast improvements in all facets of the craft of rowing. As well as taking further advantage of local resources such as rowing tank sessions, and more focussed time spent both in the gym and on the water.

Former GUBC athlete selected for World Championships Wins Gold in Bled, Slovenia

Congratulations to former GUBC rower and Club Captain Imogen Walsh being selected for the Great Britain team going on to race at the World Championships in Bled, Slovenia from August 28 - September 4, 2011. Imogen learnt to row at GUBC in 2003 in her second year at Glasgow University, and then went on to join our friends further downstream at Clyde after graduating. She represented GB in the Lightweight Women’s Quadruple Scull after promising results throughout the year in her 1x and 2x trials and races, and finished in first place; “It’s amazing and hasn’t quite sunk in yet,” she said. “We thought it was going to be a fight to the line, but it was easy.”

July

HOMES INTERNATIONAL REGATTA

For many in the senior squads, selection for this years' HIR marked the final, and largest accolade to be obtained this season. Congratulations go to; Elliott Clarke, Paddy murray, Claire Hiddleston, Ruth Dun, Kerra Templeton, Michael Mcnaul, Danny Graham, Dan Mcsherry for the outstanding dedication and performances throughout the year that led to them being selected.

The event - held at Scotland's own Strathclyde park - once again saw Laura Mcghie and Steph McDowall adorn the pundit box, and their dulcet tones wafted over the park telling all and sundry the days results and race commentaries.

Women's Henley

The Ladies departed for the squads last regatta of the season and raced upon the prestigious course of Henley-upon-Thames. The Academic Coxed Four(Claire H, Claire T, Jess, Nicole, Anna) sadly did not qualify, despite a promising row in their time trial on the Friday morning. The next day, the composite Senior Coxed Four of Strathclyde Park (Natalie Irvine), Clydesdale (Kirstin Allan, Fiona O' Prey) and GUBC (Laura McGhie, Peri Styes) had a good start to racing by deafeating a furious Dublin University in their first round. The Elite Lightweight coxless four(Rhona Findlay, Hazel Gaddis, Sally Griffiths, Claire B) were eliminated from the competition in the 1st round by the eventual winners in the coxless 4's. The Senior 4 made it to the quater finals, and were knocked out by the eventual finalists Reading.

 

June

Scot Champs

THIS UPDATE IS BROUGHT TO YOU BY THE 'BOOM MCGHIE SPELLCHECK:
For the final time this season, GUBC made the brief trip down the m8 to Strathy-P to reep further rewards for their years hard training and arrived without hiccup save for the trailer getting wedged against the leigh of a hill.

The first race of the day saw the continual grudge match between Sam W and James F play out in spectacular fasion in their men's novice single scull heat, seeing a brave performance by mr Forster being no match for the extra 20kg's of power wielded by Sam, who beat his compatriot by 0.3s. An appeal has been loged to the heads of scottish rowing to outlaw 'the surge' from all boats. Exponents of the move remain pessimistic. The final of which was won by GUBC's bovarian babe Jan Huckman, who returned from the beerhalls and leiderhosen of his homeland especially for the occassion. 
Continuing GUBC's current flirtation with sculling, Luke Cerexhe (reportedly both dangerous AND sexy) returned from his home club of Nithsdale to don the hallowed black and gold one last time in the u18 junior scull. Proving once again the one thing lacking from his technique was aggression, he graciously let his fellow competitors take the lead, ensuring all crossed the finish line safely and in good times before doing so himself in a dignified fasion to a roaring chorus of supporters.

  

The women's intermediate double scull final saw another close call for GUBC, with Claire Tracey and Rebecca Lightfoot narrowly being beaten by 0.5s by the combined might of a more experienced Clyde & St Andrews BC composite. Whilst the men's novice double scull saw a more convincing result, with Sam W and Elliott C meshing excellently together for the first time to take home the gold.
Once again, the novice men proved their mettle in their coxed 4 category, despite adverse conditions and donating their coxbox to a less experienced crew. It is refreshing to know that the heart of sportsmanship still beats at such lofty heights of competition.
The Men's Lightweight Coxless Pair, comprising of 'heterosexual' life-partners Elliott Clarke and Paddy Murray, despite leading for over half the race, were narrowly pipped to the post, crossing the line in a very respectable second. We doubt they will stay their long.

Metropolitan Regatta

sat: IM3 4+, IM1 2x 3rd despite a self-confessed diabolical row. 

sun: IM2 4- finalled, IM1 2- silver, Elite 2x 3rd

the three scottish doubles racing at the weekend all recorded times within a second of each other, creating potential for a roaring climax at scot champs next week

May

Edinburgh-Glasgow University Boat Race

The Edinburgh vs Glasgow University Boat Race is something of a dying breed.  As a race, it has been a constant source of inspiration for both fresh and calloused hands alike for the past 134 years.  In a world where the very soul of sportsmanship seems so readily sacrificed to the hadeian gods of corporate gain, it remains a bastion of virtue.  It represents to many the epitome of what it is to compete; not for yourself, but for those around you who have poured their all into a single act; to win.  This responsibility forms a bond unlike any other, and the desire to make a stand with those that have become more than just your crew becomes all encompassing.
To those lucky enough to participate, its meaning is insurmountable.  You feel its hefty strata rest upon your shoulders, the breath and sweat of over a hundred years of toil on the back of your neck, adding a tacticity to your being that infiltrates every fibre.  The great affair is to succeed, to feel each catch and finish more nearly, descending from the featherbed of university life into a world of monastic toil and purity, bathed in the ethereal light of a rising sun.

It imbues within the knowledge of being part of an elite that transverses crest or creed.  Creating knowledge strong and swift enough to thwart the slings and arrows of even the most outrageous of fortune.  A glance up and down your boat presents faces that will form the backdrop to the years that will come to define you.  Gaze across the stretch of water that is your coliseum, and you will see that which will teach you more about yourself than ever thought possible.

Our boatrace is a race of great contrast.  It means nothing, but the sacrifices made in its name are vast and readily made. It carries with it the history, pomp and pretence synonymous with such a noble sport, yet it chooses victors devoid of prejudice, based on their strength of sinew and synapse alone. It is a highly competitive event between two of the most established university boat clubs in the British Isles that acts only to bring the clubs together.  There exists a fraternal bond between the institutions that grows with every passing year.  Whilst against this backdrop of camaraderie, its character takes a more sinister form; defeat can fall upon those unfortunate enough to suffer it with a resounding and almost audible crack.   

Indeed, the Edinburgh vs Glasgow University Boat Race is something of a dying breed.  In a world where sportsmanship is constantly under scrutiny, to the privileged it is a sacred calling, to the rest it is a sliver of light in a room eclipsed by darkness.

 

2011's races were no exception. Cheered on by a small but enthusiastic cohort of GUC Cheerleaders, who valiantly braved the elements to urge their fellow weegies on, and set in the midst of a thriving Clydesdale Regatta, in which a ladies novice 4+ powered their way to victory. The crew, some of which had only been in a boat a few times, performed outstandingly well, and proved themselves a fitting ignition to the days festivities. Spurred on by their success, crews fought against an impending malestrom of rain to produce some first class rowing. 
Leading the charge were the Veteran races. Set along a 500m course, and careful not to dip their wispy white locks and beards in the river, alumni were able to re-live past glories alongside their more wisened compatriots. Both GUBC boats were crammed full of bygone heroes, and proved an inspiring sight to those that now fill their shoes. Needless to say, both crossed the finish line first, showing quality befitting their experience.
The 2nd VIII races proved to be a more mixed bag. Set along the traditional course, and with rain beginning to pound towards earth with greater tenacity, the ladies were first to pit their wits against Edinburgh, and succeeded with great success. The combination of a talented squad comprising of plucky young upstarts and more seasoned rowers meshed excellently with Callum McBurney's agressive coxing style, and they powered their way to victory despite strong competition. 
Sadly, this was not the case for the novice men who, despite great will and the injection of highly competent talent from the 1st VIII, were unable to hold off a tenacious and increadibly powerful opposition. This fate was shared by the Senior Women's VIII, who were narrowly beaten to the post by yet another fantastic row by Edinburgh.

All was not lost, however, for the Senior Men's VIII, inspired by the performances of their friends, produced another top class performance against a strong Edinburgh VIII. GUBC entered the boathouse corner in a lead that was widened further by an outrageous line by the Edinburgh cox, before a final push to claim the boat race title for the 12th year in a row.

  

Post-races, joy and grief was shared and celebrated with passion and austerity alike before minds were focussed on the final task of the day; the boatrace dinner. Organised by our residant faux-semite and Mounty-botherer Sam W in Sloan's, the dinner and following Ceilidh with live ceilidh band (shakes arms dramatically) were enjoyed by all and sundry. Speeches by both club captains were well recieved, proving the affection between clubs only grows stronger, and many new friends were made by all. New members of GUBC were shocked to find so many people called Spartacus in one club. No injuries occurred save one broken-nosed GUBC alumni setting our new treasurer on fire via a paper aeroplane attack that would have impressed Goering himself.

April

BUCS

The time came once again for the cream of GUBC to saddle up and ride South to the lands of merry men and green tights. Not wishing to tempt fate by igniting the jealousy of local sherrifs (or the loins of well-born maidens), both squads saw fit to avoid Sherwood Forest, and left their bows and arrows behind in exchange for an armament more befitting their intentions. 

Do not fear our hero's unarmed, dear reader, for they wielded blade and boat as if sword and sheild, defying many the glory that would be obtained by besting our Ludus' mighty gladiators. When the squads were able to tear themselves away from the spectacle provided by the throngs of lithe, muscular and rediculously-accented atheletes, GUBC was once again proven a byword for true grit, ability, and class. Despite many an intrepid and dedicated performance, all boats were pray to the winds that once again ravaged the course, and crews fought like Odyssius against it. The decision to sacrifice slaves instead of livestock before a big race will be addressed at the inaugrual meeting of the new committee. However, the squads gave their all against the best the UK had to offer, emerging windswept, interesting, and over 6 years ahead of even the most victorious Greek, with glory enough to rival the legend;

girls. bronze intermediate 4+ (Claire H, Sally, Claire T, Nicole, Peri), open lightweight 4x (Rhona, Claire B, Rebecca, Hazel G), finalled of championship 4- & champ 4x despite both being scratch crews on the day, intermediate 8 & champ 8 performed well reaching top3 of heats, elimated after tough repechage. Ruth Dunn did well in 1x despite 'trying' conditions

Boys. pair (Sam & Dan) & double (James & Luke) champ races did well despite being scratch crews. 2x came 4th against tough comp. intermediate 4+ (Eliott Dan Paddy Jan, Alanna) bronze. lightweight pair (Elliot and Paddy) through to final. 4x through to repucharge, but unfortunately due to weather repucharges were cancelled, the fastest 6 times were taken through from all heats, so the boys missed out.

However, upon their return, pockets still bulging provocatively with pauper's ill-gained taxes, a delicious slice was cut from the moist cake of good news, and presented to Conan McNaul and Danny Graham (of 2x fame) on the plastic plate of providence. Impressed by their performance, the powers that be saw fit to bestow a great honour upon them, chosen as they were to prepresent GB at EUSA. Whether it was their outstanding rowing, conan's obscure eating habits or Danny's impossible quiff that caught their eye is still in debate. Regardless, when surrounded by such quality as we are at GUBC, it is often easy for ones eyes to become accustomed to the luminescent talent that glistens omnipotently throughout our club. Their nomination honours us, and we collectively bask in their reflective glory as they continue their ascention to the nauseating heights we all know is within their grasp. To them we wish udachi.

Thanks go to Ladies Captain for providing results. They were written down, but were blown away. Apparently

Scottish Universities & Strathclyde Park Regatta

The first regatta of the season saw both squads build magnificently on their alreadystellar form, resulting in gold and glory flowing from adudicators hands like wine from Dionysus. The racing highlights proved too many to illicit literary gratification individually, however, a few of the highlights include the men's 3rd 4+ winning their final by the hairs on their chinny-chin chins in the closest race of the day, and Eliott Clarke miraculously making weight to win his 4th medal of the day along with men's squad stalwart and long-suffering lightweight pair wife Paddy Murray. It would appear all those efforts to physically wrestle cake from his hands paid off, but such is the quality of coaching at the zenith of Scottish University rowing. The novice girls also managed to make it to the start line with their boat upright and above the water this year. In the interest of self indulgence, a list is provided of our results;

boys: 
gold: sucm1st & sucm3rd 4+, sucm1st 8, m4x/sucm4x, sucm2x, sucm2-, sucm 4-
silver: sucm2 8+, ,sucm2x (by less than a second), sucm1x
bronze: sucm4th 4+, 

girls
gold: sucw2 8+, wju18 1x, sucw3 4+
silver: wnov4+, sucw1 4+, wnov 8+, sucw 4x, sucw1 8+
bronze: sucw2x, sucw2 4+ 

The officials in charge of awarding the Victor Ludorum were bamboozled by our success, such was the quantity and rapidity of our victories, resulting in a slight miscaculation of the victor. One can only count so high in a day, it seems. However, the error was soon spotted and it shall adorn the GUBC trophy cabinet, where we all hope it remains for many years to come. The weekend was an unanimous success, with all crews finishing well and meeting ABP's dad

Men's Training Camp to Inverness

Not wishing to be outdone, the men's squad also decided to go on a training camp to somewhere sexy and exotic. To those in obviously far wiser than most inverness seemed the obvious choice, and it did not dissappoint. The drive up set the tone for the whole week; sunshine and a grumpy James Forster. One car decided to take the scenic route; they gazed dreamily at the passing bens and glens as they dissolved to and from view, creating vistas of breathtaking pulchritude. They arrived happy, 2 hours late to boat un-loading, and one speeding ticket heavier for their troubles.
The boys immediately got to work, and operated from their new home provided by the Inverness Sea Cadet base. Captained by Rob, they hoisted their flag (consisting of Mark Gammie's onepeice) on the flagpole, slept on the bridge, ate in the galley, and bathed in the heads. Someone even got told off for playing on the tannoy. A rigourus training programme ensued, with 3 water sessions a day being conducted. From the off everyone pulled their weight, constituting in a great team effort: Charles Westwood was kind enough to coach the 2nd VIII for the first half of the week, with late-coming seniors carrying on his good work in the latter half. Fresh Coxes were delivered on 3 occassions, with the likes of Rhona Findlay and Sally Griffiths going above and beyond to help with the steering and coaching of boats.
The squad were re-acquainted with world-class coach and newly-christened GUBC hero Ian Hunter, and he immediately set about working with all squads, specifically on starts and higher-rate work.
The return jouney saw just as much excitement as the outward; due to a slight miscalculation (idiot), the minibus ran out of fuel in the midst of the scottish wilds. Luckily, the combination of a doctor's compassion and a German's efficiency saved the day.

Women's Training Camp to Sebino

In an effort to convince our euro-cultured counterparts that twinning themselves with a club situated in a city famed for drugs abuse and headbutting was in fact a good idea, the club saw fit to send the very fairest of the fairer sex to soothe their worrys and mop their classically-proportioned brows. Needless to say, our cunning ploy worked. Once a wayword cox had been convinced the trip was not in fact the week after, they landed on the continent to a hero's welcome. The local press flocked to the banks of the idyllic mountain lake, and the squad was illuminated by a thousand camera flashes. The girls did a stellar job for inter-club relations and were fantastic ambassadors for GUBC; featuring in print (left) and on screen with decorum and poise: http://www.teleboario.it/tbSport.asp?idV=1352.

Once the press had been appeased, a week of hard graft and training unfolded. Making the most of the excellent water conditions and sunshine to focus on mastering their craft as well as 'base tan' (a concept still alien to the average scot). Their lifestyle was simple, verging on the monastic; they slept upstairs in the boathouse, and spent every waking moment on the water 'save for a cultural visit to Bergamo. Much care and attention was given to the crews for up and coming events, resulting in many members being seat-raced. Hats-off to Laura 'Boom' McGhie, Fraser Quinn and Aristide Bonomelli for putting together such a beneficial trip, and proving once and for all there is alot more to do in the Alps than ski and yodle. Apparently a chap called Pacio was a big hit with the ladies captain, too.
 

March

Men's Head of the River Race

The following week saw the men's squad make the long journey down to the Big Smoke to build on the women's success. The crews piled dreary-eyed into minibusses, wedged themselves in amongst the towers of bags stuffed to the brim with lycra, and began the long journey towards the equator. The journey down passed without incident, although the musical talent of the squad was somewhat diminuable; with only a half-mumbled rendition of tina turner's 'simply the best' submitted in reply to the girls' epic. The first bus arrived in good time, and were able to make the most of a few hours of sunlight to explore what delights Putney had hid up her sleeve, go for a big team dinner, and nudity. The other bus, captained by GUBC sweetheart James Hayhurst, arrived in the wee hours and were quick to bed. 
Before we knew it, race day was upon us, and the banks of the Thames was a blurr of activity. Lumbering giants stalked amongst the gradually reanimating carcasses of vessels from all corners of the rowing world. It was into this amphitheatre of adonni that the GUBC men's squad emerged, and a chorus of thier battle cry 'Spring Break!' drowned out the awed gasps of onlookers as they strode confidently to begin race preparations. This included an ill-fated warm-up outing, nudity, eating, haggling with Turkish barbers, and more nudity.



The race was its usual challenging self; with the rough water, ever changing wind conditions, and patches of dead water demanding the best from cox and crew alike. As ever, the crews showed the strength of character that GUBC so expertly cultivates in its members, and both boats finished well. The 1st VIII came 136th (beating EUBC by 30seconds) despite a cox box malfunction that would have crippled lesser crews, and the 2nd VIII climbed 100 places, finishing 291 out of 400 and enjoying a very competitive race against thier compatriots at EUBC who narrowly beat them to the post.

Like their sisters the week previously, the race also marked the end of the boys 6 week drinking ban, and they set about making up for lost time in spectacular fasion. A cake (expertly created and smuggled down by Steph Macdowall) was cut to mark Conan McNaul's 21st birthday and his ascention from the hormonal confusion of boyhood into the ranks of men, before they preceeded to raise hell and generally impress everyone at Thames Rowing Club for the rest of the night. Incidents of note include Cigars with Oxford's bowman and a 6ft 4 transvestite, park-bench embarassment, nudity, and Mark Lees.

The team awoke from their happy blur surprisingly fresh faced and bushy-tailed on the sunday morning. Some of the arguably more civilised (but definitely more bonkers) members even indulged in an early morning run. The return journey was without interruption save for the contents of the men's captain's stomach.

Women's Head of the River Race

Late March saw the annual institution that is Tideway take place, providing an opportunity for rowers from all over to come and test their mettle against some of the fastest crews in the world. The Ladies squad, undaunted by such glittering baubles as Olympic medals and pink hippos, put out a full complement of boats, all filled to the brim with eager young atheletes chomping at the bit to show the mighty Thames what they are made of.
The drive down revealed much about the squads creative side. With many of the motorway hours spent immortalising musings on complex and intimate concepts such as being in boats, rowing, and going to London in musical form. The resulting epic has already taken Myspace by storm, and is rustling up a flurry of excited attention from industry bigwigs, including Xfactor judge and trouser enthusiast Simon Cowell. The men's squad remain dubious.

The race itself kicked off under a blazing Southern English sun, and proved to be just as productive as the journey down, albeit alot harder work. All three crews did exceptionally well in what proved to be an increadibly competitive race, with many top clubs trying out potential olympic hopefuls. Despite this, the 1st VIII finished 76th; 25 places higher than their starting position and 15 seconds behind their rivals Edinburgh. Close behind were the 2nd VIII, which after a fantastic race managed to climb 78 places to finish 120th and only 30 seconds behind the seniors. The 3rd VIII also did very well, crossing the line in a respectable time and climbing 12 places in the process.

Thames RC once again lived up to their well deserved reputation of being excellent hosts. Not only did they play inn-keeper for the weekend, but also provided the venue for the girls to finally let their hair down after so many months hard training. If TRC had realised this night was the grand finale of a 40day drinking ban they may not have been so hospitable. However, the ladies conducted themselves with a grace and decorum that came as quite a suprise to those they left back in harsher climes. The only casualties being one or two's pride and Nim's trousers. Many Alumni came out to show their support, including GUBC celebrity and self-confessed heart throb of the IC 1st VIII Dougie Thoms, and one-time history degree pinup turned chef extraordinare Dave Robertson. Any further Alumni who are in London on Saturday 2nd April please do come and support the mens squad!

Febuary

Clydesdale 8s and 4s Head of the River Race

Another race on our home turf, this time held by our friends by the wier. Division 1 saw a strong blustery wind blowing up river, which may have affected the quality of some of the rowing. the Senior Men's VIII narrowly lost to GRC in a highly competitive race, and the Men's Novice 8 were beaten by GHSRC despite having a very strong start, overtaking 2 crews and irritating a veteran crew to distraction. Once again, however, the Ladies Squad came to the rescue, providing wins in the W Op 4+ and W R2 8+ categories. Division 2 saw the men return to form, with a win in MR2 8+. The day was capped off by the ladies adding another win in the WOp 8+ category.

The evening saw the GUBC Lycra night kick off. Fuelled by the first batch of GUBC Homebrew, provided by club Master Brewers Dan Mcsherry and Wim Stevenson, the 3 nectars were named GUSASPANK; Hayhurst, McDowall and Logan, in honour of our clubs hero's and heroin and their success at the GUSA sports ball the week before. Sadly, however, due to the ladies squad being on thier pre-Tideway drinking ban, it was up to the men's squad to quaff the aforementioned victory tibble. Even when dished out to coaches, officials, and passers by, the atheletes spectacularily failed. Although it was discovered the squat rack is an innapropriate place to catch 40winks and one of the older novices is far more a deviant than ever thought possible. Despite this, everyone staggered out to deep6 and the ladies squad were able to watch on in horror as the mens squad made the most of their last night of intoxication for 4 weeks. Needless to say, the mental fortitude they have developed to be successful in rowing served them well!

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