University rowing (UK)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
University rowing in the United Kingdom began when it was introduced to Oxford in the late 1700s. The first University Boat Race (between Oxford and Cambridge) was held in 1829. Today, the majority of universities have a boat club. At college based universities (Oxford, Cambridge, and Durham) each college has its own club as well as a main university club.
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[edit] BUSA
Most universities compete in the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) championships with a number of events over the year. For non-indoor events, boats are separated into Championship (the 1st boat), Junior (2nd & 3rd boats) and Novice (as defined by the ARA).
[edit] British Indoor Rowing Championships
A 2 km indoor rowing race. Individual events for BUSA competitors (Men/Women Hwt/Lwt). There are also Victor Ludorum trophies for the best 8 men, women and combined teams. The event is staged at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during November.
[edit] BUSA Head of the River
A 5 km head race held on the River Trent in Nottingham during February or March. The competition is split into 3 divisions to cater for the vast number of entries. Division one contains the "small boats" and is held in the morning. Divisions two and three contain all the larger crew boats. Categories are usually split with "Championship" men and "Championship" women is different divisions. This system continues with men's and women's "Junior", "Novice" and "Intake" crews in opposite divisions. This system allows Universites to share their best boats between their best crews.
[edit] BUSA Regatta
A 2 km regatta held at Holme Pierrepont over the May Day weekend. Points for the Victor Ludorum are awarded for finishing places in the finals (more points for champ events and bigger boats). In 2005 Durham University were 1st, followed by Reading University in 2nd place and UL behind them in 3rd place.
[edit] "Splash and Dash"
Held in late November early December this is a race for 'Fresher' and beginner crews and consists of a short head race on the River Trent followed by two sprint races (1km and 500m) on the lake at Holme Pierrepont
[edit] Other Competitions
A number of university boat clubs have organised annual races between themselves. These include:
- Oxford and Cambridge - University Boat Race
- Durham and Newcastle - Northumbrian Water University Boat Race
- Bristol and UWE - Bristol Boat Race
- Edinburgh and Glasgow - Edinburgh Glasgow University Boat Race
- York and Lancaster - Part of Roses Tournament
- Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University - Aberdeen Universities Boat Race
- Manchester and Salford - Two Cities Boat Race
- University of London Colleges - Allom Cup
- Birmingham and Warwick - Varsity Boat Race
There are separate bumps races held every year for the Cambridge colleges, Oxford colleges, and London medical schools (called the "United Hospital Bumps").
