Following the success of last year’s Easter rowing training camp in Budapest, Balliol College Boat Club organised and held our 2018 training camp in Hungary again. However this year we went to Gyor, in north-western Hungary with Sze-Gyor University Club. We took 2 coxes, 8 male rowers and 8 female rowers (of all abilities – some only began rowing in October). The men were coached by ex-Balliol M1 coach George New and the women’s side by a Hungarian champion we met on the 2017 training camp: Andrea Bosnyak.
The rowing club’s facilities were incredible: the river-side boathouse contained many different boats, a rowing tank and a well-equipped gym. We were able to use these wonderful facilities, as well as making the most of the water sessions. State-of-the-art boats were provided for both the men and the women, allowing us to row on the beautiful stretch of the Danube with fantastic weather on every day.
The Gyor rowing community were excellent hosts, not only providing us with university accommodation and food throughout our stay but also organising tours and racing events with the University and club rowers. We were given a tour of the University, seeing their engineering department, Formula Student project and the science centre as well as a visit to the town hall, climbing the tower and exploring the local castle. We also all enjoyed ice-cream in the beautiful weather!
Our presence in the small Hungarian city even made local news, with the men’s and women’s race against the Gyor rowers being the highlight on the Thursday. Although Balliol was beaten in both of these races (with the Gyor boats containing national champions), we all enjoyed the festivities after and felt extremely welcomed by the club directors, Gyor officials and rowers and are looking forward to next year’s Easter camp.
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