Lancaster University Boat Club has enjoyed a successful start to the year. Despite being plagued by the bad weather, members have been training solidly in an attempt to mirror the success of last year.
The only race of this term was York Small Boats Head. This was to be the first race for many of the novices, and as the opening competition of the year, a good opportunity for all new rowers to gauge what level they are at.
The men’s intermediate (IM) crews enjoyed successful races, with the IM3 coxed 4 and the IM2 coxless 4 coming 3rd and 2nd respectively in their categories. The women’s IM2 coxed four, comprising of four of last year’s team that reached the quarter finalists at Henley, beat off competition from York University to come second.
It was the first race for all in both the men’s and women’s novice crews, who each claimed an impressive 4th position. With the next race for the club not coming until mid way through next term, there is ample time to build on these results.
The weekend of Week Eight saw the club travel to Leeds to attend the BUCS Indoor Rowing Championship 2010 in Yorkshire. The race takes place on rowing machines, where athletes compete to post the best time over 2000 metres. The star athlete of the weekend for LUBC was Lydia Allen, who won two gold medals in her races, which were the women’s relay event, and the women’s lightweight events.
The rest of the winning relay team consisted of Alice Lees, Jenny Tonkins and Helina Meos, who in addition all competed in the women’s heavyweight category. John Campbell also medalled, winning won bronze in the men’s race, in spite of his beginner status. The rest of the LUBC competitors, posted some impressive times, putting the team in good stead going into the Chester Indoors competition, taking place on Sunday December 12.
On the weekend of Week 10, the club have organised an exciting fundraising event. Dan Morgan will be attempting to break the world record for the most metres rowed on a rowing machine in 24 hours. The record currently stands at 213,061m in the under 20 men’s heavyweight category.
This will take place at Market Square in the town centre, from 8am on Saturday December 18 until 8am on the following day. Morgan will be doing this to raise money for two worthy causes; the total proceeds from the event will be split equally between the Antony Nolan trust and the LUBC.
The Antony Nolan trust is a charity which carries out life saving research into Leukaemia and other blood related diseases, as well as finding bone marrow donors for suffers. The club has often worked in conjunction with this charity in past fundraising events. Please come down to Market Square to show your support, or join the Facebook group: Dan’s doing a 24 hour rowing record for charity and LUBC – please sponsor.
