About

A brief introduction

Believe me, my young friend, there is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.The water rat, from “The Wind in the Willows”

Welcome to Merton College Boat Club, Oxford. These pages will hopefully give you an idea of what the Club is doing and some insight into both past results and new opportunities for current and new members.

Merton M1 - early morning training on the Isis
Trinity term 2014 – early morning training on the Isis for Merton M1

All members and associate members of Merton College are encouraged to join the Boat Club whether experienced or new to the sport. Levels of commitment range from committed training squads for our 1st VIII+ to those just looking for a lot of fun and great team spirit. Every Michaelmas term about 30 new novice rowers and coxes join the Club, with the numerous of those going on to compete at higher levels. We enter several men’s and women’s boats into Oxford’s major rowing events: Christ Church Regatta, Torpids, and Summer Eights, as well as into Nephthys and Oriel Regatta, as well as the Isis Winter League. In Summer Eights 2014 even the SCR has featured by fielding an VIII+.

In the past we have also participated in external regattas and head races, such as the Cambridge Winter Head, WeHoRR, HoRR, Bedford Amateur Regatta and others.

Interested in joining the Club – excellent! Please go straight to our new rowers page to find out the information you need.

For information about coxing with MCBC, the current committee, and alumni information and events, please see the relevant pages.