Every year during the last week of the Easter vacation, the boat club holds a week-long training camp at Molesey Boat Club. This year was no exception, and with three coached outings a day it was a great opportunity for rowers to really improve their technique - and have a good time.

The great thing about going to Molesey is that the Thames is much wider and much quieter than the Cam, meaning we could get down to some serious rowing. It also provided a chance for people to try rowing in "small boats" - pairs, doubles and single sculls. These can be quite fun, but are less stable than bigger boats - luckily this year no-one managed to capsize!

The last outing of training camp was a "joke" outing where we tried to do the most outrageous things possible, including rowing backwards ("backing it down" races), rocking the boat from side to side as quickly as possible, and swapping seats both within the boat and between different boats while on the river - not an easy operation!

There are a few pictures from the training camp in the gallery (members are welcome to upload more), and several videos will shortly be up on our Youtube channel.

Whilst at a boat club social, 4 guys reluctantly agreed to dress up as fairies for Cardinals. The girls got off lightly and dressed as Cowboys. Despite the fact that the crew looked amazing, Tom Charlton cost us a head start because of his inability to throw bribes to the marshals on the bank, seriously, some of the girls threw further than he did. Clare began with half a length head start due to some questionable race officiating and after a poor start they pulled away from us, but we settled into a rhythm and were able to close the gap coming into the last 100m. However, after a blade clash just before the finish, Clare took the victory. The crew then drowned their sorrows and some felt the need to keep their fairy outfits on.

Matt Grayson

W1 had a great day in London today, as we travelled down to race in Wehorr (women's eight's head of the river race).

Here are the results from the Cambridge colleges, out of a total of 300 boats: 95 Downing College 21:07.21 (won the novice academic category) 97 First and Third Trinity 21:07.97 104 Queens College 21:11.30 105 Christs College 21:11.49 107 Pembroke College 21:12.15 128 Trinity Hall 21:26.52 144 Churchill College 21:34.68 147 Hughes Hall 21:35.71 155 Sidney Sussex College 21:41.36 173 Magdalene 21:52.30 195 Girton College 22:01.20 220 Fitzwilliam 22:18.80 240 New Hall 22:42.13 246 Robinson 22:50.53.

We started 269/300, which meant marshalling seemed to take forever! (about 2 hours in fact). Although this meant we did get to watch the top boats racing past. At around 7km, this is the longest race we've experienced.

However, we settled into a good rhythm, with Cate calling for pushes whenever she felt us slacking off a bit! We were chasing Christ's with Downing directly behind. Calls that we were 'gaining on the crew in front' came very early, unfortunately it wasn't Christ's we were gaining on, and we overtook a couple of slow crews. Downing had started a boatlength behind, and drew level in the mid section of the race. We raced together neck and neck for a long time, which made overtaking the next couple of slow boats quite tricky - even the wide Thames struggles to accomodate 3 boats side by side, especially when one particularly slow crew decided to ignore Lorna's yells and steer directly into our line rather than move aside. (well handled Lorna). Eventually Downing did pull ahead of us, and with nothing in view but clear water (the slow crews having disappeared far into the distance) the race became a bit more boring, and it was harder to distract our thoughts from the pain. However, soon after this we were under Hammersmith Bridge and into the end section of the race. We say end section. It's nearly 3km. But anyhow... we kept pushing, the rating stayed right up where we wanted it, and everyone gave their all in the big build for the finish. Downing hadn't got away far, only about a length ahead as we crossed the line.

We're pleased with the end result, we said we'd be pleased to come under 150 so 144 is great. We know we've got loads to work on, this is encouraging because it means we've got potential to be a lot faster!

We had a great day, the atmosphere on the riverbank was buzzing, absolutely crammed with boats/trailers/lycra clad women . And rowing on a BIG river, in the same race as the best crews from across the country (and beyond), passing the boatrace landmarks, is very special. Although we are very jealous of Westminster School's lovely boathouse.

Additionally, as we were packing up the Cambridge men's blue boat rowed past :)

Many thanks to Sue Brown who found a way to get our boat there after trailering arrangements fell through twice this week. And all the best to M1 who are going to the men's equivalent, HORR, in 2 weeks time.

Kari

Sorry it's a bit late, but as always Boat Club Dinner got in the way!

M1: Rowed over behind Christ's.

W1: Bumped by Kings on First Post Corner.

M2: Rowed over in front of Jesus III.

W2: Rowed over between Fitz and Sidney Sussex again.

M3: Rowed over between Corpus Christi II and Christ's III.

The best day of Churchill bumps for ages - let's make sure we do even better in Mays!

An excellent day on the river today - at least by recent standards! Some epic row-overs should give us more confidence for the last day tomorrow.

M1: Epicly rowed over (just) in front of Peterhouse

W1: Epicly rowed over not that far behind St. Cat's and even less far in front of Kings

M2: Bumped by Christ's II after Grassy Corner

W2: Rowed over between Fitz and Sidney Sussex.