On the 5th of March DUBC competed at the prestigious Women’s Eights Head of the River event, on the famous Tideway course. Eighteen of our women’s squad travelled down south a few days before to get a feel for the tricky Tideway conditions and lines. With some good final pieces in preparation done through Chiswick to Barnes, this event was hoping to tie off a long winters graft and step on after a great BUCS head.

The first 8+, coming off a strong BUCS victory, rowed hard to come 12th. The race began just behind home water rivals, Newcastle University, who were worked hard on to gain upon. Hot on Durham’s heels came Leander D, who gained up until Hammersmith where a great shift was put in, holding the attacking crew off until the finish, demonstrating an exciting basis for the upcoming regatta racing. Despite best efforts and some of the most impressive results in the last few years, the race was considered a somewhat of a lacklustre performance compared to the result achieved at BUCS. With a lot learnt and a renewed fire, the women’s squad will be hungry knowing there is much more speed to come and be excited to see what summer brings.

Next up was the turn of the second eight, coxed by Cecily Kay. This crew produced their best performance yet, rowing hard and long, to finish a strong 32nd complemented by an excellent line. This demonstration of the dedication and graft put in over the dark winter months resulted in them achieving the fastest time in their category by an impressive 28 seconds which also happened to be a course record within their category. This was an exceptional performance and one that the whole crew can certainly be proud of. It bodes exceptionally well for the future of DUBC with many freshers being included in this crew.

Now our attention turns towards our next block of hard training and the subsequent regatta season, post Head of the River, where we are excited to get stuck in to some side by side racing and finding some real speed.