The Neptunes
EMMA HEYDON
Jan 2015 Volume 7, Issue 1
Back to the sunshine please! Maria Rust
IN THIS COLD AND WET TIME of year,
May Bumps and the summer seems a long way away. Worry not! In this issue we look back at a very successful May Bumps, with all crews bumping at least once, and W1 returned into the first division for the first time since 2005. The end of term didn’t mean the end of rowing for some of our members. On page 7, find out about the adventures and friendship we found on the Cam this summer. Off the river, some of us took on an epic 1 00 mile cycle at the start of summer to fundraise for a "new" boat (page 8-9). We would like to
thank everyone who donated to help us reach our goal. The committee have not been idle either. Over summer, we entered the Citi Society Challenge, beating many societies to the final round and winning the most votes, earning us a nice £1 000 prize. Our plans for the prize is covered on page 2. Coinciding with College's alumnae weekend, we held an alumnae outing, reported on page 8. Some of our recent alumnae tell us about life beyond the Cam on pages 1 0–11. Finally, a short report on Michaelmas (page 12): two senior and five novice crews, many fresh faces joining the family of MECBC!
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The Citi Society Challenge and a "New" VIII WE ARE PLEASED to announce that MECBC has won
Due to the increasing demand for competitive racing within the club, we have been fundraising and recently purchased a second-hand VIII suitable for lower crews to race in. The new addition to our fleet has been named Ying after one of the longest standing members of our club—Wing Ying Chow, who has recently left us to persue her career in Berlin. We wish her the very best of luck in her new job. We would like to thank everyone who supported, voted for the club, and everyone who has donated to the club over the years. This award and your donations will go a long way in helping us to expand and keep competing at a high level.
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WING YING CHOW
JOHN GIBB
the Citi Society Competition and won £1 000! The competition was open to all Societies in the University. We submitted a proposal of how we would use the prize to Citi, and were selected as finalists. As finalists, we had to gather votes from all students, and we beat the Opera Society and the Netball Society after some intense social networking. We intend to use the money to subsidise a training camp, thus investing in the training of our members. We would also invest the money in the maintenance of our boats, in particular our novices’ boat Winston which, although being a sturdy and reliable member of our fleet, has suffered from minor damages as expected for a boat of its age. By giving Winston a new lease of life, we will be able to continue providing good quality training for our beginner rowers, as well as opening up opportunities to lend the boat to other boat clubs who have need of it. Another project the money will be spent on is improving our land training—in particular repairing older erg machines so that a whole crew can have gym sessions together, rather than having to take turns. This will help improve teamwork and team spirit, leading to more motivated and coordinated race crews. Having improved facilities will also enable us to run small workshop sessions for young people in the local community—potentially encouraging them to pick up a sport and meet new people. This money will also allow us to rent more storage space and make any necessary modifications or repairs to the boats. The funds will enable us to do so without raising membership fees, thus ensuring membership of MECBC is affordable for all students.
W1 Easter Term Report
Maria Rust EMMA HEYDON
Publicity Officer 201 4–15
COMING INTO A BOAT where everyone else
By the time bumps arrived we had hit our stride as a crew, from the moment we got the boat out we were focused, pushing hard onto the crew in front of us on the row ups. After bumping Magdalene on the first day and Kings on the second, by day 2 we got our first chance to row as the sandwich boat in the 1 st division. Two days and four row overs later we had our big chance to break into the 1 st division. While marshalling, we realised that for most of the crew it would be their last ever bumps race, giving us a reason to push harder than ever. Even though we had one of our messier starts, we ended up having one of our quickest bumps races, bumping Trinity Hall just after the motorway bridge, and getting back into the 1 st division—a brilliant way to end Bumps, the term and the year! I know how cheesy it sounds, but I am so glad that I got the chance to row with an amazing group of girls before they moved on from MECBC!
WING YING CHOW
EMMA HEYDON
EMMA HEYDON
had been in W1 before, I felt a lot of pressure and started off the term determined to not let them down. Despite this, a crabbing incident meant our first race was quite disappointing, but we knew we could and would do better come the next race. Although we definitely improved by our second race, the fact that we only narrowly beat our second boat lead to a very intense outing of seat racing. This made us all realise we couldn’t take being in the first boat for granted and that we had to give it everything we had if we wanted to do well in bumps- we had to make every outing count.
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Nina Jones W2 Easter Term 201 4 a piece about my crew last term, I leapt at the chance. Despite several looming dissertation deadlines and a thousand job applications to fill out, I really wanted to try and express just how great it was to be a part of such an amazing boat. On paper we may look like a pretty good boat—a few good results in regattas and going up three places in bumps but, as is typical in sport, the results fail to tell the full story. If you only saw the results, you wouldn't know of the epic regatta race against a fearsome W1, who we only narrowly missed out to after some dramatic blade clash and an umpire’s decision that didn't go our way. If you only saw the stats, you wouldn’t know of the heart breaking final day of bumps, where— unbeknownst to most of the crew, bank party and spectators—the seat of 6 broke in the start sequence, and so despite a Herculean effort from the crew, we couldn't quite make the bump. ‘Good crews go up three, lucky ones go up four’ is often heard around the boathouses and as a crew we were certainly good—from the first day there was a real sense of power and purpose in the boat. I remember very clearly the boat being sat in the first outing, to my surprise and delight.
EMMA HEYDON
GIBB JOHN
WHEN ASKED TO WRITE
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Apart from being good technically, we were also good crew mates—with hilarious crew dinners and carb ups—and dedicated—we once all got to the boathouse for 5.30am to practice starts, as that was the only time that we could do. We were also ambitious. About three weeks in, Coach Alex (bravely risking the wrath of PCB Boatman Bomber) bow rigged the stroke and 7 seats, creating an exotic bucket rig. Not only did this help psych out the competition, it also meant that Emma, as our new bow-side stroke, was able to complete a full set of MECBC bingo, having rowed in every seat and in every crew. Crew circuit training on Sunday mornings also, to my initial dismay, became ‘a thing’ but we all dutifully turned out each week to squat, plank, wall sit, sit up, and weight lift our way to a better boat. After thinking nostalgically about the crew, I’ve realised that the phrase doesn’t quite work. While the first half is certainly true, and while we definitely had a few moments of bad luck result wise, I feel extremely lucky to have been a part of such a team. In sport, it’s often the failures that shape you and not the wins— and together we dealt with every hiccup/blade clash/seat break admirably and remained a team until the end. I’d like to say a huge thank you to all the crew for making Easter term so incredibly epic, and to Alex for being the most dedicated coach imaginable, who we all wanted to do well for. A lot of the crew have sadly moved on to locations where a commute to the boathouse each morning would be impossible, but I’m sure I speak for all of the rest when I say to let us know when you come back to visit, we’d love to meet up. Even for circuits at 5.30am.
EMMA HEYDON
W2 Easter Term Report
FREYA SANDERS
great performance of W3 in Lents, we started training hard in Easter, looking at the long-term objective: May Bumps! Under the attentive eye of our alwayselegant coach, Robert Gardiner (our very own college bursar), we worked on our technique on the water, "sharpening those catches and those finishes!" while land training was a combination of ergs and crew-bonding circuits. The first test for our crew was Nines Regatta which we started with a clear victory against Clare W4 in the first round. However, ARU W1 dominated in the second, defeating us by 3/4 lengths. We were nonetheless pleased with our performance and eager to continue working towards the Mays. When bumps finally came (by which time many crew Dome breakfasts had been consumed), we were feeling ready to give our best and couldn't wait for the races to begin! On the first day we bumped our boathouse buddies, Peterhouse W2. This gauged our enthusiasm for the following days. However, we didn't know we were going to face three though days of row overs! This was when the hard work was repaid. We were never in danger of being bumped, even when we thought we couldn't take it anymore we kept pushing harder and harder! Unfortunately, this was not enough for an overbump but we were very proud of our achievements! MOTIVATED BY THE
W3 Easter Term Report
Olimpia Onelli
FREYA SANDERS
Safety Officer 201 4–15
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day as we took to the river with four alumnae rowers and five current students. Although we have a range of experience levels within the crew, with Katharine having only noviced in Easter 201 4, some members of the crew having not been in a boat for over 20 years, and Clare who was part of the Headship crew in Mays 1 984, we proved that with over 35+ years of combined experience the alumnae still had it in them— we even tried a piece! And dare we say, it was actually quite good! This outing was part of the College's 60th Anniversary celebration weekend (and the IT WAS A FABULOUS
same weekend as the University's alumnae event). The crew list was as follows: B. Linda (1 973) 2. Katharine (PhD student, Chemistry) 3. Miranda (1 979, Natural Sciences Geology) 4. Clare (1 981, Natural Sciences) 5. Mel (1 986, Natural Sciences) 6. Laura (PhD student, Materials, Peterhouse!) 7. Reana (PhD student, Education) S. Emma (PhD student, Public Health) cox. Christina (MSci Natural Sciences Geology) Thank you to Ying and to Mark (Clare’s husband, and ex-NHBC coach) for bank partying.
Alumnae Rowing Weekend
WING YING CHOW
Captain of Club 201 4–15
WING YING CHOW
Christina Larkin
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Summer Rowing
Emma Heydon "Summer Captain" academic year. Mass exodus of boaties from Cambridge. And no more rowing for most of June, July, August and September… WHAT?!! Clearly someone forgot to spread that memo round the whole of the club. Circulation may have been better on the ‘no more erging’ memo, but the ‘no more rowing, sculling and general boatie fun’ memo definitely didn’t reach about a dozen MECBC rowers, or our ever-enthusiastic coaches. And why stop there when we could spread our MECBC—love to other boaties left to fend for themselves on the Cam over the summer (any claims that we may have been trying to take over the river one College at a time are completely unfounded…). Welcome then to the Murray Edwards/ Robinson/Peterhouse—combined summer squad! The summer is an awesome time to row—no queues of boats, rain rare, cold temperatures pretty much non-existent, long evenings and lots of sunshine. Not to mention the Fort beckoning for a post-outing ‘debrief’. Levels of experience varied widely and it was a chance for rowers to try switching sides, rowing in seats they weren’t accustomed to and for three of our Easter novices to benefit from a rapid introduction to rowing in the senior squad. But it definitely wasn’t all gentle paddling in the sunshine. Alex, Mark and Watson had everyone working, no matter their experience level. We started the summer by entering an VIII in a timed town race from Chesterton to Jesus boat house and at the end of the summer our combined IV won the IM3 category of Nines Autumn Regatta (yay pots!!). More than 30 summer outings later— many thanks to our coaches for their time and to our new friends that we don’t want to give back to RCBC and PBC!
CHRISTINA LARKIN
CHRISTINA LARKIN
THE END OF THE
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MECBC Cycles 1 00 Miles
Wing Ying Chow for a new boat (or a second hand boat better than Winston) for our higher novices and lower seniors this year, and had a target of raising £2000 before 30 June 201 4 to make the most of College's donation matching scheme. We were very close to achieving it—at the start of Bumps we've raised over £1200. Just one final push needed! Since Lent term, we had been planning an epic 80 mile bike ride between Oxford and Cambridge for the final fundraising push. However, in the excitement of exams, Bumps, and May Week, there was increasing confusion about how the bikes and human beings would make their way to Oxford to start the ride. Two days before the ride, the list of riders had been pared down to Sal, Laura and Holly, all stalwarts of MECBC W1 (I joined at the last minute). Realising the logistics of getting people and bikes to Oxford was not feasible, Sal planned an alternative circular route that would start and finish in Cambridge. Though the route is now longer, it became considerably flatter. The first leg of the journey, 20 miles from Cambridge to Huntingdon, went by in a breeze. We followed signs for route 51, which were mostly easy to find, and passed by pleasant villages with thatched roofs and summer blossoms. WING YING CHOW
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SIENA CARVER
WE HAVE BEEN FUNDRAISING
The only obstacle we encountered was a cow blocking the path in Huntingdon, which Sal dispatched smoothly with a pat on its back. From Huntingdon, we continued on route 12 for 25 miles to Peterborough, with a couple of climbs that made clear that this route is better than the Oxford hills. We enjoyed a picnic at Crown Lakes, and felt pretty good that we had such a smooth trip so far. For the next 3 hours we followed a wellsigned, flat, straight, and kind of boring path from Peterborough to Ely. Those 35 miles was mentally the toughest. I was starting to feel the weight of my bike, and was having trouble keeping it at 1 0 mph, and everything was starting to hurt. We were trying to ride with some speed as we planned to meet Siena at Ely. The original estimate of 3pm was deferred to 5.30pm. After meeting with Siena, we had our second food/water/loo break of the day. We were all quite tired by this point, though the fact that most of us have been to Ely made it felt more familiar and close to home. From Ely to Cambridge we deviated from the planned route, worried that the river bank was too overgrown. We decided on taking the cycle route through Wicken, then trying to rejoin the towpath near Waterbeach. This little detour added about 7 miles to our route, but was better than trying to battle through 5 miles of footpath when Sal and Siena are the only ones with mountain bikes.
LAURA DESERT
The views on this section were the best on the route. We enjoyed the scenery and the wildlife in this section. Unfortunately, the ominous clouds caught up with us 2 hours later, when we were still about 6 miles away from Cambridge. It was a full blown rainstorm, no thunder, but raining so heavy that it hurt when it hit you. We hid in a hedge until it calmed down a bit, while I tried to work out on my tablet/map the section where this route is supposed to join back to the River Cam. Somehow, we ended up picking the one with four stiles/gates to climb over... This "stiles-climbing" section was probably only 300 metres but it took us around 30 min to get through, including shooing off a rather overcurious horse. By then it was 8:20pm. Thanks to the British summer, we still had daylight. Finally we were back on the Cam, back on the towpath, and it was familiar territory for all of us. We cruised through the last 5 miles, appreciating the much calmer than usual river (it was after all, getting on 9pm and nearly no one was training). We got back to the boathouse at 9:1 0pm, nearly 12 hours after we set off. It was a very memorable day for all of us. We were very pleased that we managed to complete the ride. With the donations for the ride, we successfully met the fundraising target of ÂŁ2000 this year. Thank you to all our supporters!
"Even though it was tougher than we expected I was proud of what we have achieved. It made me want to do more cycling, maybe even a cycling holiday!" - Laura
SIENA CARVER
LAURA DESERT
"Cyling is also a team sport where you have to move together and support each other, much like rowing." - Laura
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WING YING CHOW
rowed 2010–12, 2013–14 (supported MECBC while in China 2012–13) Fundraising Officer, Vice-Captain
FIONA STIEDL
What I am doing now: MA in Intercultural Communications and International Business at the University of Surrey About MECBC: I learned so many things— the value of team effort, how far individuals can push themselves to achieve their goals (physically and mentally), and the pride one can have in belonging to a dedicated and fun-loving crew. It also made me gain a lot of confidence, as in MECBC every person is valued. As regards to jobs, I haven't gone through dozens of interviews, but I have been assured that using rowing (and coxing) examples is totally acceptable, and even appreciated.I live in hope that having spent almost as much time in a boat as studying for my degree, this will someday come in handy. Still rowing? Yes! I am rowing with the lovely ladies of the University of Surrey Boat Club (about to buy my first set of non-MECBC kit !) and I am looking forward to many races and regattas off the Cam, which I do miss very much. But not as much as I miss the amazing friends I made among the MECBC gang.
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What I am doing now: Msc International Management for China at SOAS, London About MECBC: Apart from making awesome friends and becoming part of THE BEST CLUB OF ALL TIME, I've picked up loads of useful skills that I didn't even notice I was using because I was having so much fun doing it. I really learnt to value time management and how to make the most of each day (what else are you going to do at 6am?). I also learnt to lead teams, liaise with college, use publishing software, plan fundraising strategies and organise events. I always use end up using examples from MECBC in interviews and cover letters! I think most of all, if I'm ever stuck with work, I tell myself if I can finish a 2k then I can do anything. Still rowing? Hell yeah, you might see me around in purple this year (University of London Boat Club), but my heart will always be with MECBC.
Laura Désert Holly rowedSmith 2011 –14
Lower Boats Captain, Dates Archives at MECBC: Officer 201 0 - 201 4 Committee positions: Fundraising Officer 2011 -2012, ViceCaptain 2013-201 4
WING YING CHOW
Holly Smith
WING YING CHOW
Polina Ceastuhina rowed 2013–14
Georgie Field coxed 2011 –14 Lower Boats Captain, Captain of Boats
MECBC SUPPORTER
What I am doing now: I am currently completing a placement with the Archaeology Data Service and hoping to get full time work in a museum. About MECBC: MECBC has made me more confident and has given me so many skills that I wouldn't have got. I am more authoritative and I can now happily stand up in front of a group and pitch an idea, and I am very good at logistics and time management now. I also think the teamwork required in rowing has been incredibly beneficial and something great to bring up in interviews. Still rowing? Unfortunately I'm not coxing at the moment, I live in Hull and the only rowing facility is a 500m rowing lake that isn't even straight! I'm hoping to start coxing again when I have the chance, as I really miss being on the river!
What I am doing now: I am back in Moldova working as a Creative Producer and design department manager at Flosites, an interactive multicultural agency. I am also actively engaged in the LGBT and women's rights movement community in Moldova. About MECBC: Rowing with MECBC taught me to be persistent with my goals and push through pain and discomfort, not only physical. Rowing is a perfect allegory for the drive and slideknowing when to act and when to relax, when to be aggressive and determined, and when to relax but still 'sit-up' and keep the posture and your whole body and mind for the next 'stroke'. Above all, MECBC taught me female comrady and sportwomenship, supporting fellow women, be it in sport, academia or professional fields. Still rowing? I am not rowing as there are no rowing clubs in Chisinau, Moldova. However, I attend the gym to keep developing the skills acquired while being with MECBC and recently ran my second half marathon in just under 2 hours.
Alumnae corner
We have asked recent graduates how their time with MECBC has benefitted them beyond their time at Cambridge. 11
a busy affair. This year, there were over 90 sign ups. After tubbing, 5 novice crews were formed, each with 1 0 members, (NINE rowers and one cox) in case of any early morning mishaps. A sad lack of novices wishing to cox, however, meant that many rowers from th e senior squad stepped into the coxes seat and coxed their first race(s) this term. The novices are particular keen this term (we always say this, but they really are)—after term ended, the novices cannot keep away from the river, and have organised an outing by themselves (with suitable bank parties and Captains' approval) before Christmas. Many are returning for Lent, so we look forward to the results next term. The senior squad had one full 1 st VIII and a 2nd squad that raced as an VIII in Winter Head and a IV in Fairbairns. Considering the relatively fresh-faced senior crews we have this term, some solid results were posted, giving us a good base to work on for next term. A selection of results of the last two terms can be found to the right. For more detailed results and race reports, see our website https://mecbc.soc.srcf.net
WING YING CHOW
WING YING CHOW
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WING YING CHOW
MICHALEMAS WAS ALWAYS
Results Easter 2014
Head 2 Head W1 : 5th in division Champs Head W1 : 2nd in division W2: 2nd in division Nines Regatta W2: won 1 st leg (Clare II) lost 2nd leg (Wolfson) W3: won 1 st leg (Clare IV) lost 2nd leg (ARU) May Bumps W1 : Up three (into 1 st division) W2: Up three in 3rd division W3: Up one in 4th division
Results Michaelmas 2014
Autumn Head W1 : 3rd of College W8+ Winter Head W1 : 4th of College Seniors W2: 6th in division NW1 : 1 st of College Novices NW2: 5th of College Novices Fairbairns Cup W1 : 8th in division W2 (IV): 15th in division Bracadi Breezers (NW1 ): DNF Pina Colada (NW2): 39th Absolut (NW3): 53rd Tequila Slammers (NW4): 49th Full results and race reports can be found here: https://mecbc.soc.srcf.net/category/results-by-year/
CHRISTOPHER HEYDON
WING YING CHOW
Lent Term Races
MECBC is planning on entering these races in Lent 2015. However, changes are possible. If you are planning to come and see a race, place get in touch with the committee at boatclub-committe@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk 31 January: Newnham Short Course (W1 ) 6 February: Robinson Head (W4) 1 4 February: Pembroke Regatta (W1, W2) 20 February: Lent Getting-On Race 25–28 February: Lent Bumps
WING YING CHOW
Save the Date - Lent Boat Club Dinner
MECBC will be holding our Boat Club Dinner on the traditional Sunday after Lent Bumps, which is 1 March 2015 this year. Planning for the Dinner is under way, being organised by the very capable Reana Maier (who also recently submitted her doctoral thesis). If you would like to attend, please get in touch with boatclub-committe@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk so that we can get in touch when the menu and prices are available.
WING YING CHOW
24 Hour Erg
We will be holding a 24 hour ergathon from 9am on the 21 st February to 9am on the 22nd February. For more information get in touch with out fundraising officer at boatclubfundraising@murrayedwards.cam.ac.uk.
The Neptunes January 2015 by Murray Edwards College Boat Club is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 Unported License. Some rights reserved.
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