SUBC Novice Squads
Novice rowing is at the heart of SUBC, the nurturing of new talent has always formed the basis of Southampton crews. This ethos has ensured that the club has never had to rely solely on an intake of experienced rowers. Many oarsmen and women who have started their careers at the University have gone onto compete on the international stage (please see Alumni success stories).
Each year sees an intake of at least four VIIIs worth of novices. The novice captains are extremely dedicated, and spend many hours helping them reach their potential. Their main aims are success at the VIII Head of the River Races and BUSA regatta. Our commitment to novice rowing was made clear in 2008 when a Men's Novice VIII won both BUSA Gold and Silver medals.
Novice Men's Squad
The novice men's squad aims to teach and develop new rowers of all backgrounds from complete beginner, to competitive oarsmen. With guys racing at the highest novice standard in the country, and many going on to represent the University's senior boats within their first few years of rowing, the SUBC Novice Men's Squad is an ideal place to get involved in the sport.
Training starts with the new intake learning the fundamentals of both technique and fitness training, whilst maximizing the time on the water. Through both the water time and land training a strong squad spirit is quickly formed, encouraging improvements in fitness and strength, whilst helping people to realise their full potential.
By November crews are formed and racing begins. As rowers develop the novice squad starts to merge with the seniors, producing quality crews over the whole men's squad. Off the water the novice men are a strong feature in the social side of the club, with memorable appearances at all of the clubs socials and parties.
Whilst rowing, training, and socializing together, friendships will be made that last well into the future. With a history of medal winning results and good memories, the SUBC Novice Men's Squad is the perfect place to start your rowing career.
- Will Ellison, Men's Vice Captain
Novice Women's Squad
As a University club we rely on the intake of novices as well as seasoned rowers in order to maintain our large membership and competitive quality. Each year girls join the club and learn to row completely from scratch, many reaching a high standard by the end of the academic year, going on to win at BUCS and Reading Regattas and continuing to row throughout university and after. Girls who joined the club as novices have, in later years, managed to produce impressive results at international events such as Women's Head of the River Race in London and Women's Henley Regatta, coupled with indoor rowing successes at events such as the British Indoors Rowing Championships. This is incredibly impressive given the difficult tidal water that we encounter during training. However, through supplementary land training SUBC has become one of the fittest sports clubs at the university..
Joining SUBC Novice Women's Squad has proved to be a rewarding experience for many girls and helps to build friendships that often last longer than the time spent at university. The training helps to keep the club physically fit while the socials mean that we manage to both work and play hard, with annual events such as pub crawls to the Isle of Wight and formal balls along with weekly socials.
- Tatty Pettigrew, Women's Vice Captain