Downing College Boat Club is one of the most established and largest clubs on the Cam. The primary purpose of the Club is to represent Downing College, Cambridge in the Lent and May Bumps on the river. DCBC is the largest sports club at the College and provides unrivalled opportunities for all members to begin, or further their rowing at all levels.
DCBC boasts one of the most recent and best equipped boat clubs on the river, thanks to continued and generous support from the College and an extensive network of past members. The Club remains very successful in all of the annual races during the three terms. DCBC won both Men's and Women's titles in the Fairbairns Head Race in 2003, whilst the women held their first Lent Headship in 2004 and successfully defended it the year after. In 2006 DCBC won the Men's University Coxless IV's event; while in 2009 a dead heat with Queen's, the Coxed IV's final was combined with M2 running up again to Queen's.
The Men have performed to a consistently high standard and have returned to 2nd station in the Lents in recent years. The top spot, a double headship, still seems within reach with both the Men and Women rowing over behind First and Third Trinity. Downing Boat Club also has good depth of talent: both M2 and W2 won their blades in Lents 2010.
In the May Bumps both the Men and Women are keenly
placed to do well this year, in 5th and 2nd place respectively, thanks
to W1's spectacular overbump into 2nd in 2010.
The Club is immensely fortunate to enjoy the support of numerous previous members as well as from the current coach, Ian Watson. Ian holds several international standard medals and his dedication to the Club and to coaching students of all levels of experience is unrivalled amongst the Colleges. Past members continue to supply an invaluable resource of time and expertise and stand as testament to the way in which the Club fosters such strong social bonds. Indeed, the social aspect of the Club is incredibly important to all members.
The
termly Boat Club Dinner
is reputedly one of the
best nights of term, whilst cocktail parties and formal swaps provide
ample
opportunity to have fun off the water with team-mates. The Downing Tribe,
the
social society for the senior men has emerged as a society of
considerable
salience within College, and hosts the largest garden party of May
Week, on the
Downing College Paddock.
The
facilities at DCBC provide a great opportunity for
you to begin or advance your rowing or coxing career using some of the
best
equipment available, in a stimulating and exciting atmosphere where the
rewards
can be incredible. Recent purchases of Filippi and Stampfli fine racing
VIIIs
add to a fleet of boats which is already impressive and which include a
number
of Janousek VIIIs as well as smaller IVs, pairs and single sculls.
For those looking to row for the first time at College, coaching from Lower Boats Captains will provide the essential basis in a fun environment amongst like-minded and similarly skilled students. If, however, you have rowed before, the senior squad is always keen to welcome new students and will guarantee to elevate your performance.
The DCBC is also unusual among college clubs by running an overseas training camp for senior squad members in January. Banyoles in Spain is a regular destination, along with other locations in Western Europe. This is always a highly enjoyable week; combining bonding, sightseeing and a fair bit of training on larger stretches of water than the Cam can provide.
For more information on the Club, email Craig, the Captain of Boats.
