Join the Boat Club
MECBC is looking for people keen to learn to row or cox. We will be running tubbing sessions over the next few weeks to give you a taster and are looking to put a crew together for easter term.
If you are interested see the poster below and click on the link https://mecbc.soc.srcf.net/for-novices/learn-to-cox-and-row/ to register your interest
We look forward to seeing you on the water! 😀
Minutes of General Meeting 11-03-12
Committee Meeting Minutes 20-02-12
Lent Bumps Day 4 W1
Emma, W1 four
Four starts, three races, two row overs and one bump – a challenging and memorable final day for W1.
Setting out to marshal for our first race chasing Churchill at the top of the second division, the crew had rage – and lots of it, not for Churchill, but for Peterhouse who had narrowly evaded our bump for the past two days. Our revenge plan seemed simple enough – bump Churchill, race again at the bottom of the first division, and bump Peterhouse back down to sandwich boat. Easy. Or not, as it turned out.
As the cannon went for the start of the second division, we powered into our start, eager to catch Churchill as soon as possible. They weren't going to give it us easily though, and the whistles did not come as fast as we had hoped. When three whistles finally became continuous, we pushed into the last few strokes, determined not to let them pull away. They didn't, and we won our second bump of the week.
As we rowed back to the marshalling point for our next race at the bottom of the first division, we were delighted with our greenery, but thinking ahead to our coming 'revenge row' against Peterhouse. After a break of Haribo eating and watching the men's second division race past, it was time for us to row back up to the start – all the way to the lock, since we were now at the end of the division. As we waited for the cannons, there were mixed feelings of nerves, anger and excitement, and as Mark gave us our pre-race talk, we focused on the challenge ahead. The four minute cannon, the one minute cannon, pushing out, coming to front stops, and we were off. We fought hard to gain on them coming out of the start, and were down to a length when confusion set in as Georgie called for us to hold it up. Ahead of us, Selwyn and Peterhouse seemed to have stopped for no reason – what was going on? Nothing, it turned out – and with no warning, the two crews started racing again. We followed suit, but not before Peterhouse had pulled ahead by two and a half lengths. Extremely angry, we channelled our rage into an attempt at a new powerful start, but we had no chance of catching them now.
We stopped racing after they bumped Selwyn and pulled into the bank – feeling cheated at the unfairness of the situation. Mark shared our anger, and after he had had a long discussion with the marshals, it was decided that there should be a re-row.
So back we went, up to the start one more time – cold, wet, and tired, but determined to catch Peterhouse. As soon as the men's division were clear, we were back in the boat and lining up for the final cannon. Pushing out of the start we knew we had nothing to lose, and gave every stroke all that we had – but Peterhouse were stronger and fresher, and bumped Selwyn before we could get within one whistle of them.
So that was that – Peterhouse got away – but only just. We went out fighting to the bitter end, and at least now we won't be chasing them at the start of next year's lent bumps.
Lent Bumps Day 4 W2
Christie Bates, WII, 6
After having been robbed the chance to catch Hughes Hall on 2 of the 3 days, WII was champing at the bit as we set out. There was a marked silence amongst the crew. Were we psyching ourselves into the game-day mentality? Were we so exhausted that conversation seemed too taxing? Did our kits reek to the point where we didn’t want to have to take in more air than necessary? Probably a mix of all three, but there was no doubt a gravity about us.
After one amazing practice start, the crew was roaring to go. As the seconds were being counted down by our illustrious leader, who may have displayed a slight difficulty with subtraction, the tension was palpable. We shot off at the sound of the canon, and after a dozen strokes, the piercing cry of the whistle could be heard. But this had happened before, and we knew not to be lulled into a false sense of security. We had been warned this would be a bitter fight to the end, and so we pushed on even harder, our legs searing with pain after several days of giving it our all. A symphony of whistles could be heard, and then, suddenly, it was done. We had reigned victorious, and the shrubbery would be ours for the taking (well, we had foliage, but if there had been shrubbery, we would have happily adorned ourselves accordingly).
All in all, it was an outstanding week. While our results display a categorical improvement, more importantly, the crew as a whole became more satisfied with our performance as the week drew to a close. WELLL HARD GIRLS!!! WII, WE DID IT!!!
Lent Bumps Day 3 W1
Reana Maier, W1, seat 5
Day 3 of Bumps, and after yesterday’s gut-wrenching row-over, W1 is facing the unpleasant prospect of chasing Peterhouse W1 again. The day is bright and sunny, however, perfect for our bumping shades. Re-rows in both the M4 and W3 division cause delays, and we spend an unusual amount of time marshalling on the reach. Before finally heading up to the starting stations, we got the pleasant task of giving a raucous cheer to our W2 as they row past, decked out in greenery signalling their first bump of the week.
The row up has a decent lift and good cover, and we’re feeling nervous but determined. We know what we need to do, but we also know that Peterhouse isn’t going to make it easy. When the starting gun goes, we make a good start, then try to settle into the long, powerful strokes that will inexorably close the gap. The row today is more spirited, more controlled and more committed than yesterday’s. We slowly gain on them, getting single whistles, then two, then three, even continuous whistles signalling overlap, but each time we squeeze close, they manage to slip away. By the time we’re on the long reach closing in on the railway bridge, we’ve had continuous whistles three times, but haven’t caught them. We chase them closely all the way to the finish line for another heartbreaking row over. The crew is frustrated and angry, but we know Peterhouse had to fight tooth and nail with everything they had to stay those few inches ahead of us. I have a feeling this is a race that’s going to stick in our minds for a long time.
Lent Bumps Day 3 W2
Gaby Rimmer, W2, 5.
What a glorious day for W2. The sun was out and our spirits were high, everyone keen to get some bumping action after two days of tiring row overs. Chasing Clare Hall and being chased by Anglia Ruskin we set off. We pushed hard and strong and took down Clare Hall just after the motorway bridge. First bump ever and it felt good! We may have been the cause of Clare Hall's boat getting stuck in a marshy bank but nothing could bring our happiness levels down as we rowed back to the boathouse with all our greenery, singing out ABBA, Queen and S Club 7 tunes. Bring on Hughes Hall tomorrow!
Lent Bumps Day 2 W2
Christina, W2 Cox
Bit grey and cloudy but no rain, and not much wind!
Start went really well, but boat ahead bumped before we had a chance. Really good, solid race, pity we didn’t bump and rowed over!
Will hopefully be bumping Clare Hall tomorrow!!
Start went really well, but boat ahead bumped before we had a chance. Really good, solid race, pity we didn’t bump and rowed over!
Will hopefully be bumping Clare Hall tomorrow!!
Lent Bumps day 2 W1
Georgie Field, W1, Cox
W1 were excited for the second day of bumps, and as it was only my second bumps race I had that feeling of nervous excitement as we rowed down to the start (in our awesome matching sunglasses 😉 ). We were chasing Peterhouse in the race to claim the top spot of the division. The row down was strong and we were getting some nice cover. We did two practice starts on the way down, one technical and one with power to get ourselves ready for those all important first few strokes off the gun.
We pulled in at our station filled with excitement and anticipation- and a slight sugar high caused by copious amounts of wine gums! We heard the one minute gun and prepared to be pushed out. When the final gun fired I dropped the bung and we were off! The start was looking strong and we gained some ground on Peterhouse and coming onto the long reach had three whistles on them. Unfortunately the dirty water and Peterhouse’s strong will got the better of us and we rowed over, to fight for that top spot another day.
As always I praise Octopussy’s beautiful steering capabilities and secretly hope that through some act of God the sun will come out so that we actually have justification for the sunglasses! Tomorrow is looking up- we are all fired up and ready to finish off Peterhouse and get into that first division! Remember girls, sit tall and lets show them what we are made of!! MECBC- WELL HARD!
As always I praise Octopussy’s beautiful steering capabilities and secretly hope that through some act of God the sun will come out so that we actually have justification for the sunglasses! Tomorrow is looking up- we are all fired up and ready to finish off Peterhouse and get into that first division! Remember girls, sit tall and lets show them what we are made of!! MECBC- WELL HARD!