St Catharine's College Boat Club

Update: Unfortunately, due a couple of cases among the crews M1 and W1 decided against racing to minimise the risk of transmission. We were on the bank supporting and will be back next year.

After a long break college rowing is back in a shiny new format: Eights Regatta 2021 held over 20th-24th June. Crews race in divisions set by Sunday's time trial in a Swiss league style side by side regatta on the 1 km long reach. Unfortunately due to members of SCCBC needing to isolate only M1 and W1 will be racing, with some new and some familiar faces. But we can't wait to get racing!

Hover over a result to see if a race report is available. Click on the crew name to see its members.

	M1	W1
Division	SM2 (TBC) 5:15pm	SW2 (TBC) 4:15pm
Day 1 (Sun)	GoR (Time trial) Div 2 @ 2:30pm	GoR (Time trial) Div 3 @ 4pm
Day 2 (Mon)	Draw TBC	Draw TBC
Day 3 (Tue)	Draw TBC	Draw TBC
Day 4 (Wed)	Draw TBC	Draw TBC
Day 5 (Thu)	Draw TBC	Draw TBC

Division times are here and see official results here. 
For a map, see here. Racing is on the long reach from the spinning zone to bottom finish (P&E). A good place to watch is from the Meadows on the south side of the river. Please be safe and keep groups to a sensible size, racing may have to be stopped if supporters are unsafe. Please do not watch from the towpath as the umpires need access.

For the Wheel!

As of 05/11/2020 the boathouse will be closed until further notice. This is due to government guidelines and confirmation from British Rowing that it is unacceptable for a shared fitness facility to be open during this second lockdown.

With Universities remaining open we want to find a way for students to stay active, so there are ergs and a bike accessible by Gostlin (you might have to fight off the librarians though). There is also an erg available for use at Chads. Please do take care of the equipment, there are rules of use by the equipment so please take note.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the students that have used the boathouse this term. Rules have been abided by therefore keeping the boathouse a safe environment to train and work in, so thank you! It is also important to note you have all contributed to creating a wonderful energetic environment, one of which I feel so grateful to work in. Spirits have been kept high and there has been much fun and laughter, which is so important in difficult and unpredictable circumstances.

I will keep you up to date with any changes that may occur over the next few weeks. A few photos are attached to show where the equipment can be found and to reminisce on outings.

Stay safe and see you on zoom ;)

- Carmen 

Aligned Blades

W1

Gostlin Set Up

Erging Librarian

Rowing and Reading

NW1 Last Row

NW1

M1

 In the current environment, some parts of ‘normal behaviours at SCCBC will have to be changed in order to protect members of our small community. We recognise that some of the changes may be frustrating, but it is imperative that the below guidance be followed.

 The following changes have been produced on current guidelines (as of 04/09/2020) and are subject to change depending on government, university and British rowing guidelines.

 General Guidance:

 Opt in Culture: as always we want SCCBC to be a culture in inclusivity and trust, meaning that no one should be asked to do more than they want. If you are feeling pressured to do something that you do not wish to do for any reason please contact Carmen, the Head Coach, or John and Charlie, the Captains, so we can make sure such behaviour is brought to halt.

• The single exception to this rule is races. We recognise that some people only wish to row recreationally, and we run lower boats that go out to have fun and get some exercise. Generally, our higher boats will be working towards some big races, namely Bumps. When placed in a higher boat, we will not demand that you race, but we do ask that you tell us if you are unable to row or feel unsafe/ uncomfortable doing so, preferably with as much noticed as possible 

Booking System:

 SCCBC have been using spreadsheets to book erg timings in past years, this will continue to be the case except for there being limited equipment and strict time slots.

 We ask that rowers are rigorous in following the booking procedure and make any changes clear on the spreadsheet. This is so that we can track who has been in the boathouse at what times, which may become necessary in the event of a local breakout.

Following COVID Policy:

 These are policy changes, people are bound to slip up and make mistakes – there is small allowance for human error. However, if you see someone making such a mistake or see actions that do not align with the new policy in place please politely mention it. If you do not feel comfortable speaking out, please do reach out to Carmen and she will address the situation and pass on your observations / concerns anonymously.

Risk Assessment:

 All new and returning rowers will be asked to watch a short video and will be signed off when they have. This video will out-lines and show how to follow the COVID rules.

Off Water Training:

 Boathouse Availability – Following advice from the College and British Rowing, some changes will be in effect in the boathouse, until further guidance:

 Crew ergs will not happen (see below). We do recommend that you find an erg buddy or two in order to keep up enjoyment and motivation
 Only 4 of the 8 ergs can be used, in order to facilitate safe social distancing.

• Ergs will be set to face the windows
• The changing rooms are out of bounds. We ask that you arrive in the gear you will be rowing in and must take all of your belonging with you when you leave (not clothes to be left at the boathouse)
• The toilets outside of the changing rooms will be accessible
•  To prevent mingling and cross contaminations there will be a 15mins time gap between every session. We ask that in this time you disinfect the equipment with the wipes etc provided and leave the boathouse. (Socialising outside the boathouse, distanced on the hard is encouraged - in groups no bigger than 6 (updated as of 11/09/2020)
• Be mindful of ventilation in the upper room. We highly encourage you to open windows when erging
• Please do not pass other on the balcony or stairs. Wait at the bottom or top and until others have passed through and it is therefore safe

Circuits:

• Circuits will be unavailable in the form they were last year
• We will however be running zoom sessions two evenings a week. These can be done anywhere and enable a form of circuit fitness to continue in a safe manner.
• In the case of a strict lockdown in Cambridge these will be the primary sessions for maintaining fitness. There are no expectations for you to attend, and you are fully welcome to join without video and/ or audio should you wish. These sessions are done at your own level.
• There is a possibility of running circuits outside where social distancing can be maintained. This will be looked into as an option but highly unlikely in poor weather and winter months due to temperatures and lighting (both impacting safety)

On Water training:

 Warm ups: with only 4 ergs available warm ups will not consist of group exercise and possibly bridge runs

Moving Boats:

 The boats will be moved by 6-8 people, observing social distancing.

Washing Boats:

 All equipment must be washed before and after every outing. We recognise that this takes times and will endeavour to make time for these activities. Boats will no longer be rubbed down with towels, but Instead washed with soap and a hose on trestles.

Crews and Boats:

 We will try to prevent movement in crews as much as possible. Obviously, subs will still ne required, and the support between crews is part of what makes rowing at Catz so enjoyable. We will likely be setting crews earlier than usual. Also, we will avoid where possible the sharing of boats and/or blades.

Crew Bubbles:

 If a member of a crew tests positive for coronavirus, the rowers, cox and coach of that crew will be required to self-isolate as per college guidelines and preferably get tested.

Coxboxes:

 Each cox will be assigned a coxbox, and it must be cleaned after every outing. They will be numbered, along with the lifejackets – once you are assigned a number it is your responsibility to charge, clean and look after the equipment. You cannot share.

Socialising:

 We permit (and actively encourage) any sort of socialising between members of the boat club that align with College and government guidelines. More official boat club socials will be carefully looked at so as to keep everyone present as safe as possible. Obviously, socials are voluntary and you are never expected to attend (although welcomed if you are).

SCCBC 2020 ‘Quaranteam’

It has been an interesting time for all during the last few months: challenging physically but most of all mentally. Due to COVID-19 the academic year, and therefore rowing year, was cut terribly short. I am proud to say that the rowers of SCCBC, present and past have united together from all over to stay active, positive and supportive of each other.  

This is a brief update and also an opportunity to provide thanks to the rowers of SCCBC for their commitment to the squad and positivity they have brought to a rather disconcerting time.

Since March the only way we have been able to communicate is virtually, many have embraced this and we have had some fun with fitness challenges. These consisted of me completing a workout in the morning in a weight vest, then the rowers having the rest of the day to beat the score, of which they all did and posted some great results! One of the sessions was inspired by George Aylard sharing a social media post, which consisted of 170 squats, 70 burpees, 260 jumping jacks, 65 push ups plus a few more gruelling exercises. You can imagine how grateful we all were for the share….

As it became clear that rowing was going to become a distant memory for a while we moved onto zoom. Having three sessions a week has been a great way to stay connected, of which alums have also joined it. I’d like to give a few shout outs: one of which being to Fiona Conlon who is now a push up champion, another: Nick Palmer who has spent time on ensuring his hamstrings aren’t comparable to guitar strings and nailing his nutrition so is able to move well carrying less weight, John Hayton that has redecorated his wall with some dents practicing handstands, Rory Cockshaw who has navigated some unusual spaces to keep completing the workouts, Will Norman who has shown us all you can always do shoulder taps faster and squat lower, Izzy ‘the penguin’ Backhouse who’s entertained her housemates each weekend, GT staying connected to the Cam running by it or doing circuits on the green, Stephen Decray who became a fitness monster during the fitness challenges, Robyn Macrae who has been consistently returning from injury and many others who have continued to stay active and throughout these past 4 months!  

I am aware the coxswains have also been phenomenal at supporting each other, with input from Sid (another fantastic alum of SCCBC). It is very difficult for them to enhance their skills when not on the water but they have found a way under the leadership and enthusiasm of Charlie Lamb. I cannot wait to see these guys back on the water next year and I am grateful and the relationship they have built to continue bettering each other.

It was great to see many faces at the Virtual BCD where our new committee was announced, congratulations to all those that are going to help lead the SCCBC 2021 squad.

I hope everyone has been able to stay safe and is adjusting to the continual changes occurring to battle this pandemic. Each member of SCCBC has done a fantastic job of challenging themselves and therefore also encouraging and challenging others throughout the last few months! I am hopeful and excited to have the boathouse filled with rowers again soon(ish).

#FTW #MEOW

SCCBC Social Distanced Training