St Catharine's College Boat Club

The 2017/18 academic year has been historic for the Women’s side of St Catharine’s College Boat Club, with unprecedented success and a record 4 women’s boats entered into May Bumps. Having lost their position in the W1 division to a strong Homerton crew in 2017, W1 embarked upon the 2018 Mays Campaign with conviction, and their sights set on regaining their place amongst the top 17 boats on the Cam. The crew put in work on and off the water, with 7 sessions per week involving a tough erg regime and focussed outings on the river.

W1 placed first in the W2 division of Spring Head to Head, early on in Easter term. This win spurred the crew on in their training, and having overcome illness and injury the crew felt excited to line up along the Cam on the first day of May Bumps. Day 1 saw a quick and clinical bump on Magdalene W1, placing the crew in sandwich boat position. After a row over behind a strong Homerton crew, W1 prepared to row twice again on the Thursday. Starting at the top of the W2 division, a strong row over ensured a chance to catch Jesus W2 at the bottom of the W1 division. W1 caught JCBC quickly and secured their place in the 1st division. With a quick Trinity Hall crew bumping to the top of the second division, the pressure was on as W1 set out in a quick sandwich chasing Queens’ W1. With an excellent row St Catharine’s held off Trinity Hall and all three crews rowed over. Although pleased to have not been caught, W1 entered the final day of Bumps with confidence that they could hold off Trinity Hall and a new-found focus and excitement at the thought of catching Queens' W1. A quick start and a steady grind saw W1 slowly gain on the QCBC boat, and with grit and determination, W1 secured the bump on the reach. Up three, and securely in the first division, Catz W1 showed that a crew can be greater than the sum of its parts; a credit to the hard work and commitment of all 8 rowers, cox and coach!