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Christ Church Boat Club
Continuing a 200-year history of success on the river
The Christ Church Boat Club was founded in 1817, making it one of the earliest rowing clubs in the world. Since then its achievements have included 50 Headships; the largest number of Blues; the first-ever second boat; the first Oxford college to row on waters away from the Isis; the best rowing record at Henley; and the gift of its dark blue colours to the Varsity boats - a proud history, and one for the Christ Church Boat Club to live up to. This is due to not only the talent of House rowers, but also the incredible support the House receives from the Boat Club Society.
The Boat Club Society provides vital financial assistance and support from the towpath. In turn, we provide regular email updates throughout the year including Bumps, and membership entitles you to numerous Boat Club Society events at which we hope to see you in the future: Torpids and Eights, the Boat Race, the annual Boat Club Society Dinner in Trinity Term, and the drinks party at Henley on the Saturday.
The Christ Church Boat Club first VIIIs have achieved some of their strongest ever results in recent campaigns, including Men’s Torpids Headship and the first ever Women’s Headship at Christ Church. The continued support of alumni means that we can provide high quality coaching, facilities, training and equipment which help our rowers achieve the very best possible results.
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2024 marks the achievement of Christ Church's 50th Headship, as our W1 crew's successfully defended their Summer VIIIs title.
The results of our incredible crews are a testament to their dedication in the face of an exceptionally difficult year for rowing in Oxford. Due to the high rainfall, the Club shouldered additional costs to ensure that our crews could continue training. This included hiring coaches to transport students to Dorney and the associated lake fees; waving student fees during periods of limited rowing; and, most significantly, renting towing vehicles. In addition, to ensure nobody was unable to attend due to finances, the Club covered the majority of the costs for the recent camp in Chester: the hotel, boat club rental, lunchtime catering and evening meals.In anticipation of more regular flooding on the Isis and at Sandford, our plan is to make the Boathouse fully-equipped for land training. We have been able to purchase a suite of strength and conditioning equipment in support of this, thanks to the generosity of alumni.
We are now seeking additional funds to purchase a towing vehicle, as well as to buy a number of ChChBC blazers for our rowers to borrow. We thank you in advance for any support you may offer.
Blazers for ChChBC Members - £400 per item
Blazers are an instantly recognisable aspect of rowing at Oxford, and one much-beloved by crew members who have earned the right to wear one. However, they have become prohibitively expensive for most rowers, costing £400 for a single first blazer. We are hoping to purchase a number of blazers which members of our first and seconds boats can borrow from the Club for occasions such as VIIIs and HRR. We also welcoming donations of any old blazers in good condition.
A Towing Vehicle - £15,000
We have had to use towing vehicles much more this year due to the poor weather conditions locally, and expect this to be true in future years. By owning a towing vehicle, we would save an enormous sum on rentals and have far greater flexibility in moving our boats between the Boathouse, Sandford, and beyond.
"Christ Church is a special place for me and to know that by helping the Boat Club I am also helping the college persuades me even more of the case for support. I urge you to join with me in ensuring the future standards of the Boat Club and Christ Church by making a regular donation.”
— Jonny Searle MBE, British rower and Olympic gold medallist (1987, Biology)
