Trialling

Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club exists to field three crews, the Blue Boat, the Reserves (Blondie) and the Lightweight Blue Boat, in order to beat Oxford in the Henley Boat Races each spring. The crews are selected over the course of the academic year, during which a large squad of hopefuls in September is whittled down to three finalised crews by late February. This selection procedure, ‘trialling’, involves intense training and top-level coaching over the year. The 16 most successful heavyweight and 8 most successful lightweight rowers over this time period are chosen to race and represent their University in the Henley Boat Races.

What does training entail?

CUWBC trains hard, combining water sessions (both in Cambridge at the start of the year and in Ely once College crews start to fill up the Cam) with long and short erg sessions, weight training and muscular endurance circuits. By the time Boat Race Day comes around, the crews are at the peak of physical fitness and have honed their rowing technique over thousands of kilometres’ worth of outings. It is hard work, but it is extremely rewarding.

How does selection occur?
Selection is done by the Head Coach, Roger Silk, who combines information from erg scores, strength, technique and, crucially, seat-racing. The squad is gradually cut down over the year such that we end up with three crews and four spares by late February. Even those who are not selected for the final crews gain valuable experience, strength, fitness and technical ability and there are few people who come away from trialling regretting having done it!

What other racing do you do?
During the trialling year we race in Cam events such as the Autumn Head and Fairbairns, and we send a number of IVs to Head of the River Fours in London. Our Trial VIIIs race to mark the end of Michaelmas term is held at Dorney towards the end of December. During Lent term we race at Head of the Trent in Nottingham and Women’s Head of the River on the Thames before the Boat Race in late March or early April.
During the spring and summer CUWBC enters boats in BUSA and Henley Women’s Regatta and during our Development Squad we send VIIIs with both prospective triallists and returning colours to various regattas around the country.

What is the difference between lightweight and heavyweight trialling?
CUWBC lightweights and heavyweights all train together as a squad, the only criterion for being a lightweight is being able and willing to weigh 59 kg or below on Boat Race Day. Heavyweights are more correctly termed ‘open weights’ as they have no upper or lower weight limit. See Lightweight Rowing for more information.

I’m thinking about trialling. What shall I do?
- If you can, take part in our Development Squad! It runs over four weeks in July and is both a unique opportunity to improve your technique and get a taster for University rowing (without committing anything), and a whole lot of fun!
- Read “Thinking about trialling?” to help you decide

- Get in touch with Lizzie (president@cuwbc.org) and she will answer any questions you might have!