Article - Lent Term 2011 Week 8

Boat Club enjoy rare BUCS success

by Becky Hoose

[published in SCAN - http://scan.lusu.co.uk/sports/2011/03/06/boat-club-enjoy-rare-bucs-success/]

Lancaster University Boat Club earned it’s most BUCS points in recent years, after a successful weekend in Peterborough at BUCS Head of River in week 5. The club did well at the BUCS endorsed indoor competitions towards the end of last term, but failed to gain any points. It was a different story at this outdoor event.

The women’s IV came third in the championship category, racing above their official intermediate status, winning 10 points for the university. The crew were only bested by boats from Southampton and Cardiff, beating off competition from the likes of Durham, Edinburgh and Manchester. It was a surprisingly successful race for the girls, who were competing above their category in what was only their second outdoor event of the academic year. Women’s Captain-elect Alice Lees commented “I’m really pleased with the result. It shows that Lancaster women are competitive. I was surprised with how well we did, although the race had gone well.” This shock victory earned the university it’s first official BUCS points of the year, with points for many sports yet to be added to the overall championship table.

The crew of the IV made up four of the competitors in Lancaster’s women’s intermediate VIII, who raced earlier on the same day. With no real benchmark to predict the outcome for the crew’s first race, the women placed 4^th out of 14, finishing 3 seconds shy of 3^rd placed Reading and therefore more BUCS points. Lancaster beat off close rivals York, who placed 4^th in the category, boding well for the women in the fast-approaching Roses competition.

Also racing on the Sunday were the intermediate men. Racing in a competitive division, with more than double the entries of any of the women’s races, the men came 27^th and 34^th in the IV’s. They also competed in the VIII, but encountered some difficulties during the race. After a strong start, the men were managing to hold off the Warwick boat, until they encountered the narrow bridge which lies at the half way point of the race. This led to a blade clash, which lost them valuable seconds. The Lancaster men had to row in the wake of Warwick’s boat for the remainder of the race. They finished 24^th, only 3 seconds behind the crew above them.

Conditions had not been as favourable on the previous day. Fortunately, the weather was not a repeat of that of the year before, with the BUCS Head race of 2010 plagued by snow and frost. However, it was heavy rain and wind which opened the competition this year, testing the will-power of those competing in the beginner races on Saturday. Division one saw the debut race for Lancaster’s men’s beginner VIII, who placed 38^th in their competitive category. The women’s beginner IV came 22^nd, with the men’s beginner IV’s coming 30^th and 36^th. Conditions were not ideal for the novice rowers, but all seemed to enjoy their racing experience.

LUBC has always suffered from a novice intake which is inferior to that of other universities, something which was highlighted at the indoor events at the end of last year, when universities such as Manchester boasted more that double the competitors that Lancaster brought. Despite this, they remain in contention at a competitive level, and the BUCS weekend saw some promising results, which perhaps foreshadows a successful season.

Lancaster have several races coming up in the final weeks of Lent term. Week 8 sees the club attending Runcorn Eights Head for the first time, before the women compete at Women’s Head of River Race in London the following weekend. After that comes the North of England Head, for both the men’s and women’s crews, with the term coming to an end with the men’s Head of River Race in week 11.

Team Spotlight

SCAN editor Nick O'Malley did a team spotlight of the boat club, which you can read here - http://scan.lusu.co.uk/sports/2010/10/29/team-spotlight-lancaster-university-boat-club/

Article - Lent Term 2011 Week 1

Lancaster Student Breaks World Record

by Becky Hoose

[published in SCAN - http://scan.lusu.co.uk/sports/2011/01/24/lancaster-student-breaks-rowing-world-record/ and British Rowing website http://www.britishrowing.org/news/lancaster-university-boat-club-athlete-breaks-world-record]

It was an exciting end to Michaelmas term for Lancaster University Boat Club, as they enjoyed huge success at the Chester Indoor Championships, followed by one member of the club breaking a world record.

After the success at the BUCS Indoor Rowing Championship in Yorkshire, the club travelled to Chester for the North West University Indoor Rowing Championships with high hopes, and they did not disappoint. This competition was attended by 7 of the universities which totalled more than 200 athletes, competing over 6 different categories. This was the last event of the BUCS Indoor Rowing series 2010, and consequently the last chance for LUBC athletes to show their worth at indoor rowing.

First to race were the beginners. Those representing Lancaster posted promising times in their heats, including both John Campbell and Sven Lehnie who won their separate Beginner Men’s heats. Campbell, who took the bronze in Leeds the weekend before, went on to win gold in Beginner Men’s and was Lancaster’s first medallist of the day. This success was followed by Lydia Allen, who echoed her achievement of the previous weekend by winning gold in the Lightweight Women’s race, posting a time of 7.55 minutes over the 2,000m course. Alice Lees was next to medal for the club, taking silver in the Senior Women’s race. In the Senior Men’s race, it was John O’leary who claimed victory in the final, winning yet another gold for Lancaster. The individual races over, it was time for the relay races. Teams of four had to race over a 3,000m course, splitting the distance between all of team members. The Senior Women’s relay team took the silver, as did the Beginner Women’s composite team, who collaborated with two members of Salford University in order to have the required team of four needed to compete. The final race of the day, and of the BUCS series 2010, was the Senior Men’s relay, so it was fitting for Lancaster to see one final victory. The Lancaster Men’s A team won their relay, with an impressive time of 8.36 minutes.

It was undoubtedly a triumphant weekend for Lancaster. They doubled their own success of the weekend before by coming away with an astounding 7 medals, comprising of 4 gold and 3 silver. LUBC were proud to come away having been named the second best university club in the North West.

More success and excitement rounded off Michaelmas term, with a world record attempt by one of the club’s members. On 19^th December 2010, LUBC’s Dan Morgan broke the world record for the most metres rowed in 24 hours on a rowing machine in the men’s under 20 open weight category. The event took place in the heart of Lancaster in Market Square, outdoors and in the middle of one of the coldest winters since records began. As well as having to contend with the subzero temperatures, Dan also had to overcome other issues that accompany such a sustained period of rowing, such as dehydration and fatigue. However, the Lancastrian public were out in force and were quick to show their admiration for Dan’s attempt. Locals were generous with both their donations and their support for the entirety of the challenge. During the race, Dan burned around 14,000 calories and lost a staggering 3kg in weight. He took on this challenge in order to raise money for the Antony Nolan Trust, a charity which does vital research into Leukaemia, and Lancaster University Boat Club. The proceeds will be split equally between the two causes. The total amount raised is yet to be confirmed, but the street collection alone raised more than £300. “It was as mentally difficult as it was physically, but I’m glad that I did it” said Dan, when asked about the experience. “I’m very pleased to have got the record, and it’s great we’ve raised so much money. I felt absolutely shattered for the next two days, but quickly recovered after that. I’d need serious tempting to even consider doing it again anytime soon!” And who could blame him?

Article - Michaelmas Term 2010 - Week 8

By Becky Hoose

[published in SCAN - http://scan.lusu.co.uk/sports/2010/12/15/it%E2%80%99s-smooth-sailing-for-the-boat-club-at-the-end-of-first-term/]

Lancaster University Boat Club have enjoyed a fairly successful start to the year. Despite being plagued by the bad weather, members have been training solidly in an attempt to mirror the success of last year.

The only race of this term was York Small Boats Head. This was to be the first race for many of the novices, and as the opening competition of the year, a good opportunity for all to gauge what level they are at. The men’s intermediate crews enjoyed successful races, with the IM3 coxed 4 and the IM2 coxless 4 coming 3^rd and 2^nd respectively in their categories. The women’s IM2 coxed four, comprising of four of last years Henley quarter finalists, beat off competition from York University to come second. It was the first race for all in both the men’s and women’s novice crews, who each claimed an impressive 4^th position. With the next race for the club not coming until mid way through next term, there is ample time to build on these results.

This weekend the club travelled to Leeds to attend the BUCS Indoor Rowing Championship 2010 in Yorkshire. The race takes place on rowing machines, where athletes compete to post the best time over 2000 metres. The star athlete of the weekend for LUBC was Lydia Allen, who won two gold medals in her races, which were the women's relay event, and the women's lightweight events. Making up the rest of the winning relay team were Alice Lees, Jenny Tonkins and Helina Meos, who in addition all competed in the women's heavyweight category. Also in medal position was John 'Big John' Campbell, who won bronze in the men's race, despite his beginner status. Between the rest of the LUBC competitors, some impressive times were posted, which bodes well for the Chester Indoors, taking place on Sunday 12th December.

On the weekend of week 10, the club have organised an exciting fundraising event. Dan Morgan will be attempting to break the world record for the most metres rowed on a rowing machine in 24 hours. The record currently stands at 213,061m in the under 20 men’s heavyweight category. This will take place at Market Square in the town centre, from 8am on Saturday 18th December until 8am on the following day. Dan will be doing this to raise money for two worthy causes; the total proceeds from the event will be split equally between the Antony Nolan trust and the boat club. The Antony Nolan trust is a charity which carries out life saving research into Leukaemia and other blood related diseases, as well as finding bone marrow donors for suffers. The club has often worked in conjunction with this charity in past fundraising events. Please come down to Market Square to show your support, or join the Facebook group: 'Dan's doing a 24 hour rowing record for charity and LUBC – please sponsor!'

Article - Summer Term 2010 Week 6

Olympics home the venue for victory

By Becky Hoose

[published in SCAN - http://scan.lusu.co.uk/sports/2010/06/17/olympics-home-the-venue-for-victory/]

Dorney Lake, set in stunning Buckinghamshire parkland, is the world-class rowing centre which will be the venue for the Olympics come 2012. It was also the location for the Metropolitan Regatta, LUBCs latest race, which they attended last weekend. And there was a definite feeling of pride amongst Lancaster’s team, knowing what will be taking place there in just two years time, on the same stretch of water which the club raced on themselves. This added to the sense of determination to achieve something great over the two day event.

Saturday was a scorcher, and in true British fashion complaints were made about the weather despite it being a glorious day, the heat serving as an extra obstacle of the already testing 2000 metre course. The first race for LUBC was the Men’s intermediate VIII’s, where both the first and second VIII’s from Lancaster met each other in their first heat. The A boat impressively finished first in the heat, therefore automatically earning themselves a spot in the final. The B boat posted a time which was only two seconds slower, but unfortunately not enough to gain a place in the next round. The final was a tough one, even for the cream of LUBC, who came up against tough crews such Nottingham and Bath, and in the end Lancaster’s A boat finished 6^th out of the 7 boats. Lancaster’s Women’s intermediate IV also raced that day and did the club proud, coming second in their heat and achieving a fantastic second place in the final, boosting the success of the day.

The men’s VIII competed again on day two, with the A boat repeating the success of the first days racing by qualifying first out of their heat once more, and again making it straight to the final. It was a better day for the B boat, who put in a dogged performance in order to make it through to the next heat, unfortunately finishing 4^th in this round, short of qualification for the final. The A boat had a brilliant final, finishing in 4^th place, just 2 seconds slower than the winning crew, a diminutive amount of time which could be gained back by Lancaster through just a few careful adjustments. The women’s intermediate VIII raced later that day, the crew seeing the return of legendary LUBC cox Bel Green for one race. Unfortunately the girls did not achieve the result that they were perhaps hoping for, finishing 5^th out of the 7 boats in their heat. However, it was still a positive outcome, considering the difficult conditions which the girls had to contend with, such as having to race a category above their ability. Racing over, trailer loaded, and one five hour motorway breakdown endured, the weekend was over for the club.

All in all, despite attending another larger and well respected event, instead of opting for what would perhaps be seen as easier regattas, it was another strong set of results for LUBC, which bodes well for the final races of the term. Next up is Durham, followed by Marlow for the men and Women’s Henley for the women, before this years racing is concluded with Men’s Henley in week 10. It has been another brilliant year for the club, which is constantly growing and improving, living up to the university’s own expanding reputation. Ever relentless, LUBC will doubtlessly carry this success and determination through to the end of the year.

Article - Summer Term 2010 Week 1

Regatta Success for Rowing Club

By Becky Hoose
[published in SCAN]

If the recent rowing success of Lent term is anything to go by, then Lancaster University Boat Club are set to cause a stir during regatta season. After the clubs excellent results at BUCS head, the success continued throughout the rest of the term.

Week nine saw the women’s squad travel down to London, to battle it out on the mighty Thames at the Women’s Eights Head of River Race. Beginning the race at the relatively high position of 145^th, the crew not only broke into the top 100 crews but managed an outstanding 86^th out of almost 300 boats, proving that the tireless efforts of LUBC pay off.

Next up was the North of England Head in Chester, a 5 kilometre course of the River Dee. The first division saw further success for the women’s crew, who came 2^nd in their category, less than 5 seconds shy of claiming victory. In the second division, the men’s 1^st VIII claimed an impressive 4^th place in their category, and an even more impressive 16^th out of the entire division, which was almost 80 boats strong. The men’s 2^nd VIII continued the success by taking 3^rd place in their category, with the 3^rd VIII coming 15^th; a promising result considering they had done just one other race as a crew.

It was then the men’s turn to prove themselves on the Thames. The Head of River Race attracts crews worldwide, this years race seeing just under 400 boats. However, LUBC stepped up to the mark and proved themselves more than worthy of this prestigious race. The 2^nd VIII came a well deserved 300^th in the race. The 1^st VIII undoubtedly had the odds stacked against them, having to overcome illness within the crew and technical problems towards the end of the race. However, their fantastic effort saw them finish in 160^th place.

During the Easter holiday, the club attended an intensive training camp in Henley, working tirelessly everyday in order to give themselves the best chance at races. It was also an opportunity to prepare for the annual Roses tournament. However, LUBC were unfortunately disappointed when their competition dropped out just a few weeks before the race. York reeled off a series of weak excuses for their withdrawal, and LUBC were further disappointed by York’s unsportsmanlike slander of LUBC. Club Captain Sam Nahk commented, saying “The club are disappointed to have been let down, but will use this opportunity to show them who’s boss at BUCS regatta”. And LUBC did just that.

The club shone at the first regatta of the season. Both the men’s 1^st and 2^nd VIII qualified on day one, with the 1^st VIII reaching the semi-final. York offered no competition here, failing to even enter a boat. The women’s VIII raced on day two, meeting York in their second heat. The qualifying times suggested a close race, both crews having made it to this point with the exact same time of 7.29. However, Lancaster held off York for the entire race, finishing a comfortable 2^nd and sailing through to the final. York failed to qualify. The LUBC women came 5^th in the final. The men’s double also raced that day, putting in a great effort and finishing their heat in a time of 7.10. The women’s IV’s raced on the final day. The A boat reached the semi’s, just one second short of the final. The B crew, this being their first outing in a boat together, reached the quarter final, only one second slower than the A boat.

An impressive end to Lent term led to a strong start to the summer term, with all round excellent results at BUCS regatta, signalling a successful season. These are exciting times for the club, who are once again teaching a valuable lesson to the competition; never underestimate Lancaster University Boat Club.