A few updates from the UBBC Alumni, including:
- The launch of an online shop, with new Member's Blazer Buttons available for eligible members.
- A successful BUCS Regatta for UBBC.
- Nonesuch Boat Club starts preparing for its 2017 summer racing season.
UBBC 50 years ago: Southern Universities Regatta 1967
Ron Lowe (UBBC 1965-1968) wrote to share the story of a UBBC victory at the Southern Universities Regatta 50 years ago today:
On 18th Feb 1967, UBBC competed in the Southern Universities regatta at Reading. The attached photo is of the crew who won the 2nd VIII trophy.
Crew as photo: Left to right
Dave Jones (3), John Sharpe (5), Pete Hepworth (6), Ron Lowe (bow)
Kevin Wood (2), John Biskupski (7), Pete Dawes (Stroke), John Filor (4)
Cox Jim Smith
It is scary to think that it was half a century ago! I can still remember rowing at bow and pulling past Reading Uni 2nd VIII to win by 3/4 length.
We had a row against the 1st VIII next morning and they couldn't catch us!
We used to row from Saltford in Autumn Term, then move to St Anne's to the Bristol Ariel clubhouse for Spring term as the course available was longer. The disadvantage was that it was just upstream of several factories. The paper mill added a fine mush to the river and the tar factory an iridescent sheen and distinctive smell to the lower half of the HOR course. The bend by the boathouse was a coxing challenge and several visiting boats would crash each year.
The Exeter HOR was held on the canal with 3 narrow bridges which could not be rowed through as the blades had to be shipped and one was on a right-angled bend where occasionally a crew would get stuck across the course stopping the race. Also, immediately past the finish there was a low narrow bridge under the Exeter by-pass as it then was. so one had to ship blade and duck head instantly after crossing the line at full speed.
If you would like to share your memories and any photos of your time in UBBC, please get in touch via our email address ubbcalumni@gmail.com.
Nonesuch race and support at the 2016 UBBC Head
The UBBC Alumni were out in force at the 2016 UBBC Head Race, fielding a women's eight and two men's eights from Nonesuch BC, as well as supporting the current student committee in the running of the event.
A summary of notable results from the day:
UBBC
- Women's Championship 8+ won their event, 37 seconds ahead of the next crew.
- Men's Championship 8+ placed 2nd in their event, behind a fast crew from Bath University.
- Women's Intermediate 8+ placed 2nd in their event, behind a first crew from Birmingham University.
- Men's Intermediate 8+ placed 5th of 9.
- Callum Gathercole won the short course Men's Championship 1x.
- Joe Harper and Harry Stroud won the short course Men's Championship 2-.
Nonesuch BC
- The men's 'A' crew posted the second fastest time of the day, but most importantly beating Coldharbour BC by 25 seconds, with the 'B' crew posting a time quicker than some current student first eights.
- The women fielded an eight, unfortunately placing last on this occasion.
- Plenty of alumni offered their support for UBBC on the day in the way of advice, donations and help with timing, marshalling and processing results.
The day was rounded off with a lively ball at Ashton Court Mansion, where the UBBC Alumni rigidly enforced the traditional 'no hands pudding' challenge, before decamping to Lizard Lounge.
Our next meet with UBBC is scheduled for the day of Quintin Head. Click here to find out more: www.ubbcalumni.com/events
Winter 2016 Newsletter
The latest UBBC Alumni newsletter is now available to view online.
The Winter 2016 edition includes interviews with Lucy Primmer, Chris Heywood, George Stewart and Ben McSweeney on their recent rowing successes, life advice from Piers Robinson reflecting on Bristol's 1991 Henley win, as well as Sam Salt's write up of Nonesuch BC's summer of racing and updates from UBBC.