Boat (BL)

BLBC is a welcoming and friendly club, in addition to being arguably the most successful sports club at Barts. Almost nobody has rowed before university, so this is your opportunity to join a club where everybody starts on equal footing. If you are one of the lucky few to have had the opportunity to row already, make sure to sign up too- we’re sure that you’ll find the training in our senior boats to be up to scratch. No matter your experience or your current level of fitness, we’re excited to have you in to BLBC!

Why choose BLBC?

• Everybody is welcome in the boat club. As so many of us are new to the sport when we join, there is no predetermined culture to the club and we don’t expect you to know anything about rowing when you sign up. The club is what you make of it.
• We win. BLBC is one of the most successful sports clubs at Barts. Our novice boats have taken home medals every year since 2016, be it in sprints or head races. Last year alone our Men’s first boat won the prestigious Allom Cup, as well as the UH Bumps headship.
• Socials. BLBC is one of the largest sports clubs at Barts, and has a strong social presence within BLSA and beyond. Rowing is also the largest club at Barts that isn’t split by gender.
• Fitness. Rowing will make you stronger, fitter and more attractive*. As part of the rowing club you will have priority access to the BLSA fitness room as well as being part of a sports club which places a heavy emphasis on helping people to improve their fitness.
• Teamwork. Everybody in the boat is as important as each other, and relies upon each other. This creates a fantastic atmosphere where your other club members will push and encourage you to be the absolute best athlete you can be. We also have an established tradition of helping and supporting each other with studies- we’re the only sports club to have a committee role dedicated to just this.
• Joining a university rowing club in London gives you the fantastic opportunity to compete in races against genuinely world class athletes, and to watch them training on the same stretch of river that we train on.
• History. BLBC is the oldest sports club at Barts, and joining this club means that you get to be a part of a rich history of the club. We have recently celebrated our 175th club anniversary!
• Our charity work- BLBC has a proud tradition of getting involved with Barts’ Raise and Give. We have two annual ‘Rowathons’ which never fail to raise thousands of pounds for good causes- this is why in 2018/19 BLSA chose to recognise our commitment to good causes and award us the RAG Cup.
• Don’t just take out word for it: here’s some of the recognition we’ve been given from BLSA in recent years at the annual Association Dinner.
  • 2015/16 - Won Sports Club of the Year
  • 2016/17 - Men’s Novice Boat wins Sports Team of the Year
  • 2017/18 - Men’s Captain Saad Habib shortlisted for Sportsperson of the year
  • 2018/19 - Shortlisted for Sports Club of the Year. Club Captain Jess Challenger shortlisted for Sports person of the year. BLBC wins the RAG cup
  • 2022/23 - BLBC wins the RAG cup, and is shortlisted for the Allom Cup

Training

We train regularly as a club and, of course, our most important training is on the water. We train on the Thames from the University of London Boathouse in Chiswick, with sessions taking place every Wednesday afternoon and Sunday morning. All other training is land based and takes place in Whitechapel in the BLSA fitness room. Commitment levels required vary, and we offer something for everyone. From training 6 days a week to occasional rowing, we have a crew for you. Teams are not set for the year and we give anyone the opportunity to race and compete if they wish, we will provide all the training required needed for you to become a proficient oarsman or woman.

Coxing

If you would like to join BLBC but you aren’t sure that rowing is for you, why not sign up as a cox? Again, no experience is required and this is a great way for you to become an invaluable member of the club and to have the fun and camaraderie of participating in races and in training too.

Competiton

Races at BLBC present a chance to show how much your training has paid off. The main events of the year for us at BLBC are the United Hospitals (UH races), where we compete against the other London medical schools. That’s not to say we don’t jump at the chance to get involved with less exclusive competitions- last year we put boats out for HoRR, WeHoRR, Cambridge Head, BUCS Head and Regatta, Trinity Regatta, Hammersmith Head, and more. There is always a race to work towards if you’re up to it when you’re training at BLBC.

Socials

The social calendar kicks off with our Freshers Curry during freshers week. Look out for our social secs at freshers fayre - this curry is your introduction to life as part of a university sports team and is not to be missed! Throughout the year you can expect socials every single Wednesday as standard, with special events throughout the year as well. Perhaps the most exciting of all for you to look forward to is our annual national and international mystery tours

Taster session

We will be hosting two free taster sessions (plus BBQ) at the University of London Boathouse in Chiswick on Sunday 22nd September @11am and Wednesday 25th September @1pm. All you will need is something you feel comfortable rowing in and a contactless card or topped up Oyster. Keep checking our social media for more details.

Equipment: Flip flops or wellies are useful but not essential. Please bring along a contactless debit/credit card or a topped up Oyster card.