Trinity Rowing

Back on the water for Summer VIIIs. Photo credit: Oliver Chapman

Sierra Sparks (2021 DPhil Engineering), KCBC President, writes:

Trinity Term has been an exciting time for the Keble College Boat Club. Significant rainfall and flooding in Oxford and across the UK over the autumn and winter meant that it was unsafe to row on either the Godstow or Isis stretches of the Thames where we train, until the spring came around. Being able to finally get back out on the water this term has been fantastic for our club, particularly for our novices who had only started rowing this year and who kept up with our land training, despite the lack of water time and racing experience.

With Torpids being cancelled this winter, our athletes were eager to get out and race in Summer Eights. They put their land training over the past six months to good use by translating their aerobic advances made in the erg room, and their technical advances from the rowing tank, onto the water.

Photo credit: Peter Bristow

We had five crews enter into Summer Eights this year, and all five of those crews qualified. Our M3, who qualified through Rowing On, maintained their position at 10th in Men’s Division 5. Our W2, who qualified as the fastest women’s crew in Rowing On, bumped up 5 places to finish 12th in Division 4, meaning that they earned blades for the third time in a row, and are now in Fixed Divisions – a huge success! Our M2 finished the week at 3rd in Men’s Division 4, going down two places but also earning a bump in the process. Our W1 had three exciting row overs of the course, gaining on their opponents, but got bumped by Balliol, a blades-winning crew, and finished a strong 9th on the river. Our M1 had four excellent days of racing, managing to nearly catch Christ Church and avoid being caught by those behind, maintaining their impressive position at 3rd on the river.

We couldn’t be prouder of our athletes who raced and displayed immense Keble spirit. It was fantastic to see the support from friends, family, and alumni at Boathouse Island throughout Summer Eights and through their encouragement from afar – thank you for your support!