Boat Club News

Society Boat Club

Past and present members of SCSBC with the new VIII named ‘Wayne Turfrey’

It has been an exciting and progressive time for the Boat Club. To mark the club’s 125th anniversary in 2018 we launched a fundraising appeal to put towards our boat fund. We held a number of events including a celebration for over 90 past and present members; an auction of customized blades and seats; and a 500km sponsored ‘Ergathon’. As well as celebrating the club’s rich history, we also managed to raise over £6,000 to be put towards our boat fund in order to revitalise the fleet. Thanks to the generosity of all those who donated to the club, I am delighted to announce that we were able to purchase a new VIII to be shared by our Men’s and Women’s squads as the new 1st VIII. This new boat is a Resolute – an American brand hugely popular amongst the US collegiate rowing programs and renowned for maintaining a high standard of performance over a long lifetime, ideal for college rowing. With the remaining funds, we hope to buy a second-hand coxed IV to be used primarily by the Men’s Squad, but which will also be suitable for the Women’s Squad. Coxed IVs are very well suited to the Wear and having a competitive boat weighted for men will allow us to race at more events throughout the year. As stated in our anniversary appeal, the final purchase in our sights will be a second-hand single, weighted for women, to promote sculling within the club and to diversify the range of events we are able to compete in.

Boat Naming Ceremony

On Sunday 2nd February past and present members of SCSBC gathered to name the new VIII after much loved and missed Cuth’s porter Wayne Turfrey. We were delighted that Wayne’s family were able to attend. Former Boat Club Captains Albert Hodgson (1954-1955) and Petrina Witt (2017-2018) were also there.