Summer Eights 2023

Women’s side

Trinity Term saw a boost in training and moral, with W1 cycling to Abingdon for the first time. W2 once again qualified for Summer Eights, rowing on with ease. It was a great week of rowing, with lots of supporters cheering on the crews, and everyone racing sporting the iconic red bucket hat. W2 got off to a great start, with a quick bump on Somerville W2 on day one and a thrilling chase with Hertford W2 on day two, going -2 over the week after being bumped on the third and fourth days. After a spoons winning fall into Division 2 last year, W1 had a very successful bumps campaign, getting a bump each day on Catz, Hertford, New, and St Anne’s to win blades and climb back into Division 1. The Summer Eights dinner was a great way to round off the week. 

With a large proportion of the women’s side still at Balliol next year, we look forward to welcoming new members and building on this year’s success! 

Open side

BCBC are enormously proud that our president, Alec Berry, and resident former Team-GB rower, Sam Baker, represented Oxford with the Oxford University Lightweight Squad in the annual varsity race. For the trinity season, we were also able to welcome Nick Ryan (OULC 2021/2022), completing our trifecta of Blues.

In preparation for Summer Eights, the men’s side dabbled in external races, participating in the City of Oxford Bumps as well as Wallingford Head at Eton-Dorney. An exciting venue for those of us who learnt to row at University.

Balliol entered two Men’s Crews into Summer Eights. On Day 1, M1 was chasing Wadham and M2 was chasing Teddy Hall. M1 made easy work of Wadham and bumped up from 7th to 6th on the river.  M1 remained at this 6th position for the rest of the week, chasing Pembroke for all remaining days. Notably, the field was fairly even across the top of division 1, with no position changes occurring in the top 7 for the last 3 days.

M2 had an unfortunate streak, racing in a division that was klaxoned on all 4 days. Nonetheless, M2 secured the bump on Wadham M2 on day 2, and on St. Edmund Hall M2 on day 4. Moving from 41st to 39th,  proving undeniably that this phenomenal crew would have been on for blades in a different reality.

As per tradition, the year was concluded by the social highlights, Summer Eights and Gordouli Dinner. A large proportion of the club will be retained for next year, and we are excited to welcome the incoming batch of keen freshers, ready to take on the oar.