Joining
Why join?
Rowing is a great sport and a huge part of life in Cambridge. It's definitely something everyone should try once and there is no experience quite like rowing in the annual Lent and May Bumps.
Each year we take on a large number of new members, the vast majority with no previous rowing experience at all. Usually around a third of all freshers sign up to try rowing or coxing in their first term, and many choose to continue throughout their degree, which makes rowing a great way both to meet other freshers and to make friends with people from other years.
You don't need any previous experience to try rowing with LMBC - the vast majority of members learn to row within the club, mostly in Michaelmas term when there are races against other colleges specifically for new rowers. With around 10 novice crews (each with 8 rowers and a cox) in a typical year, we cater for people of all abilities, and since the time commitment varies hugely across those crews, it's up to you how much time you want to put in. All our other boats also finish top of their classes regularly in novice events.
Rowing is also a very sociable sport. A key part of novicing is going on formal hall swaps with boats from other colleges, and the end of term boat club dinners are half the reason why lots of people row, so it's not all lycra and early mornings as the myths would have you believe!
Can I join?
Are you a member of St John's College, Cambridge? If so, then yes!
You don't need any previous experience to try rowing with LMBC. In fact, the vast majority of members had little or no rowing experience before joining! We'll teach you everything you need to know. In Michaelmas term there are specially organised races against other colleges specifically for new rowers.
Of course we welcome experienced rowers too, and anyone with previous rowing experience is welcomed straight into the senior squad.
How do I join?
Around half of all College members try their hand at rowing, and it's easy to get involved:
If you are interested in learning to row or cox at LMBC then contact the men's or women's lower boats captains for more info and, most importantly, try some rowing for yourself. Or come along to our stall at the freshers' fair!
If you have previous rowing experience and want to get stuck right in then contact the men's or women's captains.
We look forward to hearing from you soon!