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2009/10
 Running with the success of previous academic years, the fading months of 2009 saw the club get off to an excellent start. For the last few years the club has had more and more students join at the squash in October so it was no surprise when we once again recruited a record number of Novice rowers. However, what we were not expecting was how many would still be with us by the end of the first semester. The organisation and dedication of the Novice Squad captains ensured that the size of these squads was double what we expected. Their job was also made immeasurably easier by the sheer enthusiasm shown by this year's Novice men and women; which is, in a word, inspiring.
 The senior squads also benefited from an influx of fresh talent and the return of some familiar faces. On the back of all this the club won a slew of medals from Marlow and Bristol not to mention pots from Exeter City's winter head race. The second half of the Head season got off to a cold start with heavy snow smothering BUCS Head Race. Despite the conditions our rowers put out some excellent performances. The senior women, for example, won a Bronze in the lightweight coxless four along with some valuable points in two other events. But it was the novice men who dominated the weekend bringing home a silver medal in the eights and a gold medal in the coxed fours. The club's next challenge were the Head of the River Races, bar last years excellent placing for the senior men this event has always proven to be something of an obstacle. For the senior men, plagued by injury and illness, it would remain insurmountable and they came away disappointed. At the Women's Head of the River Race the club had a better day finishing higher than previous years.

As the second term came to a close the club moved to Soustons in preparation for the BUCS regatta. The camp was, as ever, a gruelling week of seat racing and technique work under the watchful eye of Thames Tradesmen's Fred Badowski. Determined to recover from the Springs disappointments both squads pushed themselves hard and, in spite of the best efforts of an Icelandic Volcano, EUBC arrived well-prepared for BUCS regatta. It was an event characterised by some startling yet heroic performances; the Novice women rowing through two crews in the semi-final even though their five-girl had lost her seat over-board, the lightweight double narrowly missed out on the final despite the fact that the stroke man had dislocated his knee. But while the crews rowed well, in some cases challenging the top clubs, the senior squads were still struggling to find their feet after the spring and, once again, it was left to the Novice men to bring home the medals. It was a challenge that they rose to magnificently with an exciting final that saw them rowing through their closest rivals to finish third.

With the university events over, the squads came together to prepare for Henley and the Regatta season. At the Metropolitan regatta the senior squads, bolstered by the novice rowers who had performed so well at BUCS, finally began to find their feet. At Marlow International the senior men reached the final of the Intermediate 2 eights putting themselves back amongst their rivals ready for Henley Royal Regatta. Meanwhile, at Women's Henley, the senior women were about to achieve something spectacular. After qualifying for the Academic event, the coxed four stormed through their collegiate opposition to reach the final where they lost a very close race against a strong Southampton crew. It was the furthest any EUBC women's crew had gone at the event. Not to be outdone the men responded with typical Exeter form. Putting the spring behind them the 1st eight came together in the nick of time. They qualified well and in the first round found themselves drawn against Queen Mary's College London. Despite trailing by half a length for most of the race the crew refused to give up and, at the hump-back bridge, they put together a pulverising finish, crossing the line a length in front. The following day saw Harvard beat them by three lengths but the crew was far from disheartened, It was EUBC's best Temple result for a decade.

As the new captains have taken up the torch EUBC has hit the summer regatta circuit for the first time in some years. The success of Henley has carried over and the club has come away with wins at Molesey, Bewdley and Oxford City. With the new term just around the corner we hope to carry this winning streak over into the winter Head race season.

 Development:
 The plans for a new clubhouse have overcome the initial design issues and continue to roll forward, the schedule for completion remains for the 10/11 season. Work has just been finished on a redeveloped ergo room which provides a safe and clean training environment for all members on Streatham Campus.  A comprehensive asset replacement program is in its final drafts which should see recycling of the boat fleet in coming years. This is a joint venture between EUBC and Alumni, further support is needed so please if you are willing to help contact the President via the contacts pages.  This leads me on to a new scheme put in place by the University to encourage Alumni support. We are currently asking for small monthly donations of £2-£10 for 5 years. The first few clubs to reach a target of £400 a year will get this doubled by the University; plus gift aid this becomes an extra £1000 a year. Our performance is currently suffering due to poor equipment, due to lack of funding, this is something we, as a club, are keen to change. So if you feel your time at EUBC was as enjoyable as ours is today please put you hand in your pocket and ensure that the club continues to offer the same experience now and for years to come.   Finally I would like to thank all those who have helped EUBC this year, and invite any prospective members or Alumni to drop an email to the President for further information.  2010-11:

The new season starts in September and we look forward to seeing many returning members as well as lots of new faces. We hope to be building on the links and success of the 09-10 season and look forward to starting from a much higher base having maintained a good competitive presence throughout the summer at all of the major post Henley regattas. 2010-11 will see a few major changes to the boat club, fleet and coaching structures but with the base of the squads staying largely unchanged. Returning and prospective new members are invited to contact their squad captains (see committee page) with questions regarding the season and training from the beginning of term. Any other queries regarding membership or boats should be directed to the President. Hope to see as many people as possible at our Q&A sessions as well as the welcome back BBQ on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday in freshers week. See posters and Freshers Handbook for further details!

Luke Dillon
EUBC President
2009-20011

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