St Hilda's College
St Hilda’s College Boat Club’s (SHCBC) see a huge success at Summer Eights, with the women’s second crew (W2) winning blades, and both first crews reaching new heights at Summer Eights.
Words by Alyx Hutcheon, DPhil Biology Candidate and St Hilda's Boat Club member
This year’s Summer Eights saw major accomplishments in SHCBC. Not only were we lucky enough to enter and fill six crews, all crews also rowed on, earning well-deserved racing spots on the river the following week.
W1 rowed over on the first day but bumped every day following. Despite losing the chance for blades on the first day, their rows were strong, enjoying the sun and energy of the sport. They progressed halfway up Division III. W3 also put in a series of hefty rows, fending off spoons following a penalty bump on Lady Margaret Hall. The three men’s boats also contributed some lengthy rows in defence of their lines. M1 continue to climb the divisions, reaching heights previously unseen for a Hilda’s men's crew. M2 powered the length of the river twice before securing two well-earned bumps, and M3 who were one of the most excited crews on the river to have achieved spoons!
W2 blades campaign
Following the success of last-year's blades-winning campaign, the pressure was on for W2 as they stepped up from Division 5 to Division 4. Starting at the bottom of the division and the threat of being a sandwich boat looming, the crew excelled.
The signs were promising from the outset. At Rowing On the weekend before Eights, W2 was announced as the second-fastest women’s crew on the river - an achievement that reflected the hard work and commitment of the entire squad throughout the season. Carrying that speed into race week, we entered Eights full of confidence and determination.
Despite it being one of the hottest weeks of the year, and a rocky start (literally!) on Wednesday, W2 went on to bump every day. Over the course of the week, the crew successfully bumped Balliol W2, Exeter W2, Regent's Park W1, until finally bumping St Hugh’s W2 under Donnington Bridge and being awarded blades on Saturday. We would like to thank our opponents for a series of strong and fair races.
The blades-winning crew consisted of Fiona Murphy (bow), Annabelle Gouttebroze (crew captain), Stella Leach, Rebecca Sadler, Emily Blatch, Ria Sandbrink, Alana Lavery, Alyx Hutcheon (stroke), and Lucy Hamer (coxswain), under the guidance of coach, Megan Culbert. The crew was also supported by super subs, Fiona Galvis and Anna James-Bott on Friday.
We would like to give special recognition to final-year DPhil student, Lucy Hamer. Starting as a novice cox with half the W2 crew in the Novice Regatta, we feel grateful for her commitment, leadership and trust in us, and especially for leading us to bump despite being unknowingly without a rudder on the first day. We are delighted to have finally won her a blade!
We would also like to thank our coach, Megan Culbert, who sat through countless brutal erg sessions and bank-rode many rainy and cold outings with us. Her belief in our crew never faltered, and her dedication was instrumental to this success.
Additional thanks are due to our women’s captain, Anna Hutchens, and President, Eleanor Prince, who organised our sometimes-chaotic crew, making sure we were able to get on the water, and ensuring we were well prepared and motivated for our blades campaign.
Finally, we would like to thank the friends, family, students, and staff who came to support us throughout the week.
We are also proud to celebrate the achievements of the wider SHCBC crews, as this blades campaign reflects not only the success of one crew, but the strength, dedication, and spirit of the entire SHCBC community.
This article recognises the tragedy which occurred at the river on 27th May, and the crews at SHCBC and Longbridges Boathouse extend their thoughts and deepest sympathies to all those affected. We also row in memory of a SHCBC peer, who sadly passed earlier this year. Their memory remains with us, and this achievement is dedicated in part to those no longer able to share it with us.
