Reunion Rowers enjoyed outings in an eight and a four with the support of the Boat Club Captains and graduate rowers. Alumni matriculation years varied from 1970 to 1998, with five alumni from 1988. All enjoyed themselves greatly, with those, who had not rowed for a while, relishing the “visceral” feel of being ‘on the water’ again.
Reunion Rower Katie Bycroft commented “It wasn’t blue skies and warm sunshine on the river last Saturday, but the heady sense of a Cambridge summer term hit me forcibly as we ran down to the boathouse from Fitz. The boathouse was stunning, almost unrecognisable with shiny new boats, light oars with no splinters, and a state-of-the-art racking system. Wonderful! The outing (the terminology quickly came flooding back) was great fun. I loved hearing all those phrases again: bow four, from backstops, half slide, square blades… Go! We managed to sit the boat occasionally, but that wasn’t really the point. To be on the Cam in a swish boat with friends and other alumni, indulging in a sport that I grew to love in my time at Fitz, was a treat that I will remember for a long time.”
All our crews are now mixed M/W, reflecting the change in college demographics. ‘Mixed’ is also a good description of the variation in recent experience and fitness levels. Technique soon comes back, if not ideal balance.
We were especially pleased to welcome John Eisold (retired Fitz Head Porter), and his daughter, to see the brand new four, named after him, take to the water. Our thanks as always to Antony Moule, College Boatman and Coach, for his excellent support. Donna Thomas, from the Development Office, provided bank support, and recorded the event on camera. Photos are here:
The Reunion Rowing is now being organised under the auspices of the Billygoats Society. We welcome all alumni who wish to row at the Reunion weekend, not just those from invited years. If you wish to put a crew together from your years, or would like to go on the crew list for future years, please contact Brian Smith (email billygoatsrowing@billygoats.org.uk and put Reunion Row in the title). We email potential rowers in the Spring and crews are ‘finalised’ in early September, with the usual last-minute adjustments on the day.
Brian is looking for a co-organiser at the 2019 Reunion as Mike Thomas will, regretfully, be stepping down. (Note from Mike – I have really enjoyed co-organising the Reunion Row with Brian, following on the tradition of the prior ‘Over Sixties’ rowing. It has been great to widen the age range of alumni rowing. All who take part really enjoy it, as the smiles at the end of the outing show – be they for renewing old friendships, physical enjoyment, or just survival without catching a crab.)
| Billy | Kid | |||||
| Bow | Clare Roberts-Garzaniti | 88-91 | Bow | Emily Lees | Current | |
| 2 | Heidi Whitelock | 88-91 | 2 | Vincent Toolan | 88-91 | |
| 3 | Stefan Rennick-Egglestone | 98-01 | 3 | Mike Cowie | 78-81 | |
| 4 | Katie Alcock (Bycroft) | 88-91 | Stroke | Hazel Walker | Current | |
| 5 | Brian Smith | 71-74 | Cox | Rob Machado | Current | |
| 6 | Alan Alcock | 88-91 | ||||
| 7 | Adrian Tollet | 72-75 | ||||
| Stroke | Pete Howard | 70-73 | ||||
| Cox | Jess Halliday | Current |
Mike Thomas