Downing College Boat Club is one of the largest clubs at Downing College, Cambridge. It's purpose is two-fold:
- To teach and promote Rowing to all members of college and provide the facilities, coaching and opportunity to do this.
- To be Head of the River in the Lent and May Bumps.
DCBC is very fortunate to have excellent facilities in the form of the new Boat House as well as one of the best fleets of boats on the Cam, most of which have been generously donated by past members. We have also been one of the most successful boat clubs in recent years, always finishing very high in the Fairbairns Head race (winning both Men's and Women's titles in 2003). The women held their first Lent Headship from 2004 to 2005, but currently sit sixth on the river, with the men in fifth. In the May Bumps, the men and the women are both ninth.
DCBC is not only a successful club on the Cam - we regularly enter the IV's Head and Head of the River Race as well as Henley Royal Regatta and are regular winners of S2/3 level regatta races.
DCBC isn't just about the rowing though - it's also about the social aspect of a team sport. As such, the club has termly Boat Club Dinners after the main races each term, as well as termly cocktail parties and formal hall swaps with crews from other colleges. The Downing Tribe is the social society for the senior men and meets regularly for the odd drink or two. The Segreant Club allows old members to keep in touch with the Boat Club and return for social events and the Segreants' Regatta.
Whether you've never rowed before or have been doing it for years, DCBC will cater for you. If you want to give rowing a try we will teach you to row as part of the novicing programme. Overseen by our Lower Boats Captains you will be taught how to row in a fun and, hopefully, rewarding environment.
If you've rowed at school or at home for a town club then DCBC will take you to new levels. Our Senior crews are among the most successful on the river and as such the standard of coaching is very high. Our current Head Coach and Boatman, Ian Watson, who has seen success at international lightweight level himself, along with our extensive network of old boys (who themselves have competed from College to Olympic level) form one of the strongest coaching teams on the Cam.
Training varies between crews, with the higher crews training more. The boathouse provides a range of equipment to train with, with boats ranging from single sculls, right up to the finest racing VIIIs. The Club also has a well-stocked weights and ergo (rowing machine) room, as well as video equipment for closer analysis of technique. We are often represented in University crews, and training with DCBC is the ideal way to step up the University level.
For more information, email captain@downingboatclub.co.uk
