The Record 2006 - Keble College - University of Oxford

The Life of the College
of Bedford Head. In Torpids, a confident 1st VIII managed to row
over everyday, but failed to capitalize on their superior fitness,
missing a couple of bumping opportunities.
Summer Eights finally saw a consistent year of training and crew
development transformed into tangible results. Starting as one of
the highest 2nd VIIIs on the river, they managed to move up one
bungline over the week – an impressive achievement given the
strength of crews around them. Even greater success was recorded
by the 1st VIII, who managed to record four bumps over the
four days, thus achieving blades. The 1st VIII now stands in its
highest position for nearly a decade and firmly established back in
Division 1. This amazing four days in fifth week has left everyone
involved with the Boat Club feeling very positive and ambitious
about future prospects.
Rowing (Women’s)
(Laura Sutherland)
The year started well with two novice crews training hard
prior to Christ Church Regatta. Even though the weather got
progressively worse, spirits remained high with all looking
forward to the competition ahead. Both crews entered Nephthys
Head and Regatta in sixth week which acted as great preparation
and introduction to racing! Even though the course was shortened
due to deteriorating conditions throughout Christ Church
Regatta, both crews raced hard, with the A crew reaching the
final day and the last 16 racing crews.
Hilary saw more cold, wet weather and Torpids took place in
snow for the second year running. A small squad size combined
with various injuries, bad weather and a damaged boat made
training difficult. Finishing Torpids eighth in Division 2, we
looked forward to Eights.
Trinity saw the return of some senior rowers and the addition
to our crew of Grace Riekenberg, an American graduate student
and Blues rower. As Summer Eights approached, our training
progressed nicely, with the prospect of some fast crews chasing us
at the top of Division 2 to spur us on. We started top of Division
2 on Wednesday, with the aim of regaining our 1st Division
status. After rowing over on Wednesday and Thursday, we
produced some gutsy rowing on Friday to hold off St Catz, who
were a quarter-length off us and then bump Merton half way up
the Green Bank. We were back in the 1st Division! We caught
Queen’s by the gut on Saturday to establish our position, finishing
eleventh in Division 1. Eights week was a huge success all round,
resulting in both Men’s and Women’s 1st VIIIs in Division 1,
never before achieved. Well done KCBC!
27