Christ’s College Boat ClubSummer 2023 Newsletter
As the new year at Cambridge rolls around it’s time to reflect on the past year at CCBC, thank the committee for their work and introduce the new and returning CCBC committee members. I would like to begin by introducing myself, Lizzie Snow, as the new Publicity officer, I look forward to keeping you all up to date with all the exciting things to come this year for the boat club.
This newsletter includes:
- A message and report of the year, including Easter termfromGeorgia Denham the continuingCaptain of Boats,
- A message from Bill Aldridge the chair of the CCBC steering committee,
- A link to find the race report from the Crustaceans M3 trip to the River Yare,
- Introductions to the CCBC committee for the upcoming year.
Please feel free to reach out if you have any rowing related news or stories that you wish to share with the CCBC community!
Many thanks, Lizzie Snow (Publicity officer) eas207@cam.ac.uk
Facebook: @christsbc
Instagram: @christscollegeboatclub
LinkedIn: @christscollegeboatclub
Website: christscollegeboatclub.co.uk
Captains Report from Georgia Denham Captain of Boats
Usually at this time of year, the Captain of Boats would be stepping back and handing over the sacred blazer to their successor. Such is my love for the club (and perhaps signal of my less than sound mind) that I will be continuing as Captain of Boats, albeit in a newly devised, separate role. It’s our hope that this will take some of the pressure off the daily chaos of captaining a men’s or women’s side, and allow somebody to work solely on the bigger picture. Together with our outgoing Men’s Captain, Alex Holmes,
we have learned so much on the ground, that I’ll hopefully be able to refine and put into action for future years. In our long history, this seems a novel approach. I would be grateful to hear from anyone with their own stories of committee revamps. However well intended, there are likely to be ups and downs, but there is always room to learn from our predecessors.
The women’s side will however be handed over to current Lower Boats Captain, AnaRosa Capp - rest assured, CCBC enjoyed many a campaign pun on AnaRowsa for Women’s Capptain. She is not only a brilliant rower, but also an incredibly impressive young woman (and one of my bridesmaids!). Her insight and passion ignites my belief in the world’s future most days, and I’m excited to see what she does for the club at its helm. When I became a PhD student here, I never expected to become best friends with an undergrad, but rowing will do that for you in boat loads. Across the eights bay, the men’s side passes from one safe holdtoanother.MateoHoare,aseasonedveteranofCCBC, becomes our Men’s Captain after five years rowing for Christ’s. There are few students more knowledgable about the inner workings of the club than Mateo, and this promises to pay dividends in his captaincy. Excitingly, this means we have both Latino Men’s and Women’s Captains next year! They have fabulous plans to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month in the club this autumn, and I can’t wait to see what they come up with.
In the long hangover of covid, we have struggled with racing this year. Many of the clubs around us are fortunate to take on recruits with rowing experience. These folks not only make excellent foundations for their top boats, but are able to coach their novices as Lower Boats Captains. At Christ’s, we had an impressive eighty-four novices sign up this year, but less than two boats of continuing seniors in the whole club. We’ve had some incredibly keen and enthusiastic starters, with much of our incoming committee being those who joined the club in Michaelmas. Our camp to Hungary was a roaring success, and we’re already heading towards plans for next January. Thank you to all who supported our ergathon - look out for even more adventurous fundraising plans soon. With lessons learned, we are hoping for fresh wins next year - what goes down in bumps, must inevitably go back up!
One of our clubs proudest moments this year was of course former Captain of Boats, Katy Hempson, making the Cambridge Lightweight Blue Boat. From the five seat, Katy powered the way to a victory over Oxford by an impressive 6 lengths. Continuing on at CUBC through Easter term, Katy represented us at Women’s Henley Regatta in a composite Christ’s and Downing pair (unfortunately for us, clashing with May Bumps). Testament to the ethos of the club, Katy learned to row at Christ’s as a novice. Perhaps there are great things to come from our current cohort?
Visiting Henley Royal Regatta recently, I ran into many of our alumni: our tell-tale white jackets, and signature silvernavy trim giving the game away. It’s obvious that fond memories of Christ’s College Boat Club extend over many
generations, and I very much hope to be meeting current students there one day myself. Thank you to the whole CCBC family for your support, kindness and well wishes this year. You are ever welcome to visit, and Ilook forward to updating you next year.
Message from Bill Aldridge (m 1975) Chair, CCBC Steering Committee
CCBC continues to be a major part of Sporting and social life at Christs. About 1 in 5 of Christs students now row for at least one termin theirtime at Cambridge. Rowing gives students a valuable escape from the inevitable pressures of Academic study.
CCBC now needstostart renewingtheoldest boatsintheir fleet, dating from the 1990s. We are planning to begin with a new 4+ later this year, and replace one of the eights next year. The total cost for these two will be approximately £60,000.
CCBC are reliant on the generosity of Alumni for capital donations to fund all equipment purchases, and Alumni annualdonationsalsohelptosupportourotherexpenditure. Over the next few months we will be working with the Development office to raise funds for these boats. Please contact Bill Aldridge at ccbcboats@gmail.com for further information about donating towards boats, or sponsoring CCBC. I would like to thank all the current, and past officers of CCBC, and also Kate Hurst for putting in hours of work to keep the club functioning, and maintaining such a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. Best wishes for the coming academic year!
Link to the Report of The Crustaceans M3 Summer
Trip:
Please find the link to the report written by the Crustacean’s detailing their trip to the River Yare.
Crustaceans M3 Summer Jaunt .pdf
New Committee Introductions:
Georgia Denham: Captain of Boats
As discussed in her report Georgia is returning in the Captain of Boat role, independently of the women’s captain role, to allow her to focus on picture picture projects.
Mateo Hoare: Men’s Captain:
I’m Mateo, your Men’s captain! I am a second year PhD student workingon new approaches to treating neurodegenerative disorders but have been a Christ’s member for five years now and a member of CCBC since my
freshers’ week. I’ve not looked backed since then, having been involved at different levels of the club including captainingM2androwinginM1thelastfewyears.Myrole is to look after the Men’s side of the club, organise the crews, oversee outraining and to make sure we progress throughout the year. I also work in close collaboration with my fellow captains Georgia and AnaRosa, and the rest of thecommitteetoensureweareawelcoming,funandunited club.
AnaRosa Capp: Women’s Captain: Hello! I am AnaRosa Capp, a third year HSPS student and new women’s captain. Having rowed with Christ’s W1 since starting at Cambridge I thought it was finally time to buckle down and do some admin to keep things running on a daily basis. I look forward to continuing the highly social environment of CCBC as well as getting some strong results on the women's side.
Sudina Thapa: Secretary Hiya, I’m Sudina, a third year Natural Scientist. I’ve been rowing since my first year and I rowed with W2 last year. Since I basically already spend all mytimetalkingabout rowing, I’ll beorganisedandkeep up to date with the running of the club throughout the year. I’mhereforall yourraceentriesandstashorders,alongside other bits of admin.
Sarah Clarke: Treasurer: Hi, I'm Sarah, a 3rd year Historian and the new Treasurer for CCBC 2023/24. After rowing in W2 in first year and W1 all of last year I decided it was time to take a little more responsibility within the boat club through becoming the new treasurer. I look forward to organising the Boat club finances next year to ensure we continue to be able to enjoy rowing on and off the Cam and have the equipment we need to thrive as a club.
Mariam Alireza: Coxing Representative: Hi I’m Mariam, a second year HSPSer and your coxingrep forthis year. I started coxing last year and quickly fell in love with the club. I’m excited for another year of early morning yelling and can’t wait to welcome you all into our community!
Eugenie Dodds: Social Secretary Hey! I’m Eugenie, I’m going into my second year studying law and am this years social sec. I rowed in W1 last year and really enjoyed getting to know everyone at the club (and meeting people from other clubs!) As social sec, I help organise our boat club dinners and swaps with other boat clubs, and here’s hoping a cocktail night helps to keep the novices hooked onto rowing.
Lizzie Snow: Publicity Officer Hi! I’m Lizzie a third year HSPS student, last year I was an LBC and rowed in W1. This year I’m happy to be trading out some of the early morning coaching for some admin, running the social media for the boatclub and making sure all our amazing alumni can stay up to date with the happenings at CCBC.
John Thompson:Men’s LBC: Hello! I’mJohn – a second yearLandEconomystudentandoneofyourfriendlyLower Boat Captains (LBCs, for short) for the upcoming year. I noviced in Michaelmas of 2022 and have since gone on to captain the M2 boat in a year that has been nothing short of epic (my personal highlights have been out boat club dinners and the camp in Hungary).. My LBCs were super helpful when Ifirst joined last year, so please don’t hesitate to tap me on the shoulder should you wish to row with us in 2023-24, or to find out more about anything else at CCBC :)
Becky Wake: Women’s LBC: Hi, my name is Becky and I’m Captain of Women’s Lower Boats for this year. I started rowing last year, in my first year, and immediately felt like I’d finally found my sport. I rowed in NW3 and NW1 in Michaelmas, and W2 in Lent and Easter terms, in the latter of which I was Captain. This role gave me the opportunitytolearnmoreabouttherunningoftheboatclub and how to motivate my crew. I’m extremely excited to see what new rowers the new year brings and can’t wait to help the cohort learn the ins and outs of my absolute favourite hobby!
Francesca Lee: women’s Vice LBC: Hi, I’m Fran and I’ll be one of your women’s side LBCs next year! I’m a second year mathmo and started coxing for CCBC in Michaelmas first year, starting off in NM2, moving to M3 in Lent and M2 in Easter. I’ve been hit by the rowing bug and want to do my best to pass on my love for rowing to next year’s freshers!
Luke Wright: Men’s Vice-LBC and Welfare Officer: Hi everyone! I’m Luke, and this year I’ll be a lower boats captain on the men’s side, as well as the welfare officer for the boat club. Last year I was captain of M3 and helped M2 out with a successful spoons campaign! This year I’m looking forward to making sure that you all have a fun and successful time as novices. I’m also here to support anyone in the club whoneeds it, whether you’ve just started rowing or been with us for much longer :)
Cian Dunne: Web Master
