A love letter to college rowing: why everyone should consider giving the quintessentially Cambridge sport a go
01/03/2025
By Heather Leigh
Photo credits: Heather Leigh
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‘This sounds perfect for me!’, I thought, when I first heard about lightweight rowing at Cambridge. What I didn’t realise at the time was that ‘lightweight’ referred to a category of rowing and not the actual ability of the rowers. I was daunted by the idea of starting a sport I had zero experience in, but a team of enthusiastic second years assured me that I’d soon be as addicted as they were. Doubtful as to how early starts, freezing weather, and pitch-black cycles to the boathouse could in any way become addictive, my Michaelmas self mustered the energy to join the group of freshers waiting outside my college gates to head to the Cam.
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The first outing was inevitably full of mistakes, but we laughed through the chaos. It was bonding to meet each other in bleary-eyed states of disarray, it was funny when we almost crashed into the bank, and it was rewarding when we finally achieved something resembling synchronicity. I saw a stunning sunrise over the river, met friendly people from all year groups, and enjoyed trying something completely new. After a collective post-outing trip to Greggs for breakfast, I decided that college rowing far exceeded my initial expectations.
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Fast forward a year, and I have indeed succumbed to the addiction. There’s a blade in my room painted with the names of my fellow crew members, the blisters on my hands have never looked worse, and I’m currently writing this article while wearing socks with weightlifting rabbits on them (aka my lucky rowing socks which I’m morally obligated to wear to every race). There’s never pressure to do more than you want to though; different divisions require different levels of commitment and fitness, so you can take it as seriously or as casually as you like.
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"There’s also no escaping the fact that rowing is a quintessentially Cambridge experience. You worked hard to get here so you might as well enjoy all that the university has to offer"
There’s a stereotype that rowing at Cambridge is solely the preserve of those who attended an elite public school, but I’ve found the rowing community to be filled with some of the most welcoming, inclusive, and supportive people I’ve met at this university so far. I’m sure there are a few elitist snobs floating around somewhere, but if you let that put you off then you might as well never set foot in any Cambridge library, café or bar ever again. And the cost of rowing at Cambridge is likely to be the cheapest opportunity to try the sport you’ll ever have as every college subsidises the price for students. My termly payment totals £30 rather than £245: the yearly rate I’d have to cough up if I were to join the City of Cambridge open club. You don’t need fancy gear (my trainers are held together with nothing but superglue and prayers at this point) and the ease of access is something to be taken advantage of. Even coming from the far-off lands of Homerton, my cycle to the river is only 15 minutes or so.
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In a sport where you are – quite literally – all in the same boat, the sense of community is strong. From painting our nails the team colours, to wearing matching ribbons in our hair and sending Mexican wave high fives down the boat, last year’s May Bumps highlighted to me the way that crews become family. Everyone encourages each other, and the popular cox call ‘do it for the person in front’ is reflective of the support you both give and receive. The goodwill extends beyond individual crews as well, with genuine celebration for the wins of other college teams. Even land training is fun (something I never thought I’d say), with group sessions giving you the perfect opportunity to finally leave the library, blast music, and break a sweat. Outside the gym, off-water comradeship includes formal swaps, socials, and boat club dinners; whether you’re a club rat or a fine-diner, there’s something on offer for everyone.
There’s also no escaping the fact that rowing is a quintessentially Cambridge experience. You worked hard to get here so you might as well enjoy all that the university has to offer. Watching cows graze in surrounding meadows, waving to people in painted houseboats, occasionally dodging a low-flying swan – the scenic joys of rowing never disappoint. The water shimmers with mist on January mornings and is alive with ducklings in the sunshine of Easter term. Rowing might not be for you, but you can’t know that until you’ve tried it. You don’t need any prior experience, only an open mind, an adventurous attitude, and maybe a spare pair of socks. Give it a go and you might be pleasantly surprised – I know I was.