Welcome!
ABOUT
Welcome to MCBC, our thriving rowing community at Merton, founded in 1838. We’re based out of our newly renovated boathouse on Boat House Island, on the Isis – our local stretch of the river Thames. We offer rowing and coxing at all abilities and levels of commitment.
Rowing is one of the largest sports at both Merton College, and Oxford University. Twice a year, we compete in the iconic intercollegiate bumps racing, alongside a whole host of other competitions and events throughout the year.
Our success
We’ve had a very successful 2023-24 season. In Summer Eights this year, Merton College Boat Club was more successful than any other college club; with 15 bumps across 4 crews (3 more bumps than any other College)! This includes our 1st and 2nd Women’s VIIIs achieving blades, and our Men’s 1st VIII narrowly missing out on blades. No MCBC crew was bumped! One member of MCBC rowed with OUBC this year, winning her race in the 2024 Osiris-Goldie Boat Race. Additionally, at Bedford Regatta, we had our senior women’s 4+ claim the gold medal in their division.
We’ve also had many recent blades winning crews.
In 2021, our Women’s 1st VIII and Men’s 2nd VIII won blades in Summer Torpids. In 2019, our Women’s 1st VIII in Summer Eights, and Men’s 1st VIII and Men’s 2nd VIII in Torpids, won blades.
membership
Our Club welcomes those completely new to the sport, in addition to experienced rowers and coxes, although, the majority of our new-joiners have never rowed before. We are open to all students (including JCR, MCR, & SCR), and members of staff, at Merton College, as well as recent alumni who currently continue their studies at another Oxford College.
Getting in touch
Whether you are a prospective applicant, incoming fresher, or an alumnus of Merton College or MCBC, we’d be delighted to hear from you. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, should you have any questions, comments, or concerns.
explore the site
Are you an incoming fresher? A current student interested in getting involved? We’ve laid out exactly what life at MCBC looks like, from casual to committed rowing, from coxing workshops to our club socials.
- Why join us?
- Why should I try coxing?
- Explore MCBC’s equipment
- Get in touch
Debunking the rowing myths…
…”I need to be 6’5″ to row”
Not at all! There are so many factors involved in a great rower. These include: your rowing technique, your commitment, your coachability, your communication with the rest of the crew and your coach, in addition to your strength.
…”I’ll have to wake up at 5am every day”
Our rowers and coxes at MCBC choose their own commitment levels. In particular, our new joiners in our novice squad sign up on a session by session basis – meaning you can do as few sessions, or as many, as you’d like. In the senior squads, there won’t be more than 2-3 early mornings per week (less for 2nd and 3rd VIIIs), and we do prefer to schedule evening sessions instead where possible.
…”Rowing is only for the super fit”
People of any fitness level can try out rowing and join the squad. As a novice, your water sessions will be technique focused in the first few weeks, building in fitness training at a pace that is comfortable and suited to all.
