Rowing as a Novice with PCBC
| A Racing Start | Coxing with PCBC | Joining PCBC | FAQs, Map and Contacts |
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Freshers’ Cocktails: Thursday, 10th October 2019. Drop into the Old Library anytime from 8pm for the chance to chat with and get to know the current senior rowers and coxes of PCBC. There will be plenty of free drinks available, so come down for an informal, relaxed evening. |
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Big Rowing Day & Free BBQ: Saturday, 12th October 2019. The Boat Club will be turning out in force this weekend for our BIG ROWING DAY & BBQ. Try coxing or rowing in one of our boats, and enjoy some free food! Either come straight down to the boathouse (see map ▼) or meet us to walk down in a group. Groups will leave from the back gate of college (next to Foundress Building) at quarter to the hour, every hour from 10:45am – 4:45pm. For more information click to drop us a quick email at or come visit us at the Fresher’s Squash on Friday 11th October |
Rowing is one of the most popular sports in Cambridge, and with good reason. Since the inception of the annual Bumps races in 1827, it has grown into a massive sport, hosting a multitude of events each year for competitors at every level. At PCBC, it doesn’t matter if you want to row for a bit of fun and fitness, or whether you’ve got your eyes on the prestigious Boat Race. Whatever your level, we want you.
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A Racing Start – Why Row at Pembroke?
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Coxing with PCBC
For more information, please come and chat with us at the Freshers’ Squash or at any other time please drop an email to one of our captains. All contacts can be found on the ‘Committee’ page.
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Joining PCBC – The Novice Timetable
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The novice calendar starts at the very beginning of Michaelmas term, though members can join the boat club throughout the year. The key events to be aware of are:
Fresher’s Squash – The annual event during Fresher’s week, scheduled for 11th October, which showcases all the societies Pembroke has to offer. This is your chance to meet PCBC, talk to current members, and sign up. Look out for the stash! Fresher’s Cocktails – Join us for a free evening of drinks in the Old Library from 8-10pm on Thursday 10th October for a small taste of the social side the Boat Club has to offer. PCBC BBQ – Held on Saturday 12th from 11-5, join PCBC at the Pembroke boathouse for a free BBQ and the opportunity to try your hand at actually rowing under the supervision of senior rowers and coxes, and sign up to PCBC. Directions to the boathouse can be found on this page, but don’t fret – PCBC members will be leading walking trains from the JP throughout the day. Once you’ve signed up, you’ll begin learning how to row under the instruction of friendly and experienced senior coaches and rowers. You’ll learn the stroke, the set, and all the technicalities of moving the boat in the water. It’s not just learning though. From the very first term, you’ll be competing in your first races against fellow rowers in other colleges… Queens’ Ergs is the first highlight of the novice term. The “second largest indoor rowing competition in Europe”, Queens’ Ergs (Affectionately dubbed Quergs) is an 8x500m relay race where crews face off against each other to get the fastest cumulative time. You can find out more here. Did we mention there’s free stash? After this, you’ll be working towards Clare Novice Regatta. This is a traditional knockout race whereby two boats lined up at the start compete to complete the 800m course in the fastest time. This all climaxes with the Novice Fairbairn’s Cup, a 2700m head race where boats race individually to complete the course as fast as possible, decked in beautiful PCBC stash. We then celebrate with the annual Fairbairn’s Dinner, a black tie formal event where the whole boat club joins together to sing the successes of our crews, and the sorrows of those unfortunate enough to be matched up against them. After this, you’re no longer a novice. But there is plenty to look forward to in subsequent terms, culminating in the opportunity to row in the world famous Bumps’ races at the end of Lent and May terms… |
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FAQs
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Contact Us!
- Seb, Itay and Lester, Men’s LBCs: lowerboatsmen@pembrokecollegeboatclub.com
- Maribel, Natalie and Felicity, Women’s LBCs: lowerboatswomen@pembrokecollegeboatclub.com
- Amy, Coxing Representative: coxing@pembrokecollegeboatclub.com
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