Highlight in the Low Countries
On 2nd January OUWBC and OUWLRC descended on a close-to-frozen 2km rowing lake with a gym, a restaurant and a group of prison-cell accommodation blocks at one end. This two square mile area of Belgium was all we saw for 8 days.
Each day's training began with 60 minutes of "non-competitive" steady state rowing, during which heart rate will be between 160 and 200, before breakfast. The second outing of the day was usually a technical, in which the crews would be videoed for feedback later in the day.
The final session of the day was the highlight - timed pieces with similar boat types pitched against each other, very often turning into a lightweight/heavyweight duel! Each day the workload was steadily increased, and as the distances and ratings came up, the competition became fast and furious. The halfway point of the camp was marked by a showdown between matched heavyweight eights named "Praise" and "Adulation" (after an inspiring squad psychological session). The races were three 1km pieces; both crews had storming rows, but "Adulation" proved too strong and came out on top in all races.
It wasn't just the rowers, however, who had a race on their hands; four coaches and four coxes competed in a 750m sprint, "Little and Lard". No surprises here though - Lard heaved their way to victory as the mini-crew struggled to get their blades through the water.
The climax of all the work outings was one 1500m race (reduced from 2000m due to ice covering the top of the course) between the top end of the heavies in one eight and the top end of the skinnies in another. Though it was a close thing for most of the race, the heavies pulled their way to victory by a length.
On the last morning in Belgium, the ice had spread over all lanes so it was time to go for a run, pack up the boats and piles of used kit and head back to Oxford. Now that the crews are set, we have an action packed term in preparation for the Boat races which are now only just over seven weeks away.
Women's Boatclub Fixtures
Saturday 9th Feb
Henley Fours Head and U23 trials
Sunday 17th Feb
Match vs. Twickenham at Henley
Saturday 23rd Feb
Burway Head
Sunday 24th Feb
Match vs. Marlow at Henley
Sunday 3rd March
Match vs. Thames RC at Putney
Saturday 9th March
Women's Head of the River Race
Sunday 10th March
OUWBC Old Girls at Henley
Sunday 24th March
The Women's Boat Race at Henley
31st Jan 2002