Lincoln College,
Turl Street,
Oxford,
OX1 3DR
Turl Street,
Oxford,
OX1 3DR
LCBC is generously sponsored by
Novice FAQS
By far the best way to find out about rowing for Lincoln is to come and give it a try - but if you want to know more before you start, have a read
of the FAQs below. If you have any other questions then please get in contact with the relevant member of the committee, who would be happy
to help you out!
2. What training will I have to do?
The amount of training that you will do for rowing will vary depending on the boat you are in and the time of the year. As a novice rower you will probably begin by doing 2-3 training sessions a week on the water, with optional land training (rowing machine/circuits/cross training etc.). However, exact training patterns will vary from crew to crew and there is always the opportunity to do more rowing if you want to! Early on in Michaelmas term you will do a training session at the tank (a bit like a fake boat in a swimming pool) to learn technique which is difficult to teach on the water.
The amount of training that you will do for rowing will vary depending on the boat you are in and the time of the year. As a novice rower you will probably begin by doing 2-3 training sessions a week on the water, with optional land training (rowing machine/circuits/cross training etc.). However, exact training patterns will vary from crew to crew and there is always the opportunity to do more rowing if you want to! Early on in Michaelmas term you will do a training session at the tank (a bit like a fake boat in a swimming pool) to learn technique which is difficult to teach on the water.
1. I've never rowed before - can I row for LCBC?
The vast majority of Lincoln rowers have never set foot in (or even seen!) a rowing boat before they arrive in Oxford. LCBC requires absolutely no previous experience or knowledge and you will be taught everything from scratch. The major rowing event of Michaelmas term is Christ Church Regatta - a competition purely for novice rowers. If you join LCBC as a novice in Michaelmas term you will be part of a crew of other beginners, and within seven weeks you will be ready to race!
The vast majority of Lincoln rowers have never set foot in (or even seen!) a rowing boat before they arrive in Oxford. LCBC requires absolutely no previous experience or knowledge and you will be taught everything from scratch. The major rowing event of Michaelmas term is Christ Church Regatta - a competition purely for novice rowers. If you join LCBC as a novice in Michaelmas term you will be part of a crew of other beginners, and within seven weeks you will be ready to race!
3. When will training be?
Novice rowers generally have two major concerns about training times - firstly that they will have to get up ridiculously early, and secondly that their training will clash with lectures/tutorials.
While it is true that some rowing sessions take place early in the morning (6.30am generally), we try to schedule novice outings for weekends or weekday afternoons. It is unlikely that you will have more than one or two morning outings in your first term, and even after that it would be unusual to have more than one a week. In terms of clashes with academic commitments, we all know that studies come first and therefore the training schedule will be set to accommodate these.
Novice rowers generally have two major concerns about training times - firstly that they will have to get up ridiculously early, and secondly that their training will clash with lectures/tutorials.
While it is true that some rowing sessions take place early in the morning (6.30am generally), we try to schedule novice outings for weekends or weekday afternoons. It is unlikely that you will have more than one or two morning outings in your first term, and even after that it would be unusual to have more than one a week. In terms of clashes with academic commitments, we all know that studies come first and therefore the training schedule will be set to accommodate these.
4. Can I row if I'm not very fit/sporty?
Of course you can! Rowing is the perfect sport to start if you've never been particularly sporty before because at the beginning rowing is far more about technique than physical ability. In the first term most emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of rowing, so early sessions will not be physically difficult. There will be opportunities to increase your fitness (mainly land training) throughout the term, but these will be optional for novices in Michaelmas, so it's up to you!
Of course you can! Rowing is the perfect sport to start if you've never been particularly sporty before because at the beginning rowing is far more about technique than physical ability. In the first term most emphasis is placed on the technical aspects of rowing, so early sessions will not be physically difficult. There will be opportunities to increase your fitness (mainly land training) throughout the term, but these will be optional for novices in Michaelmas, so it's up to you!
6. What if I have previous experience?
If you've rowed before and want to join LCBC then you can join one of the senior crews straight away. If you are interested in rowing at a non-novice level in your first term then please get in contact with either Chris Wallis (men) or Aisling Leow (women) who will be able to help you out.
If you've rowed before and want to join LCBC then you can join one of the senior crews straight away. If you are interested in rowing at a non-novice level in your first term then please get in contact with either Chris Wallis (men) or Aisling Leow (women) who will be able to help you out.
9. How much does rowing at Lincoln cost?
Nothing! LCBC is very proud of the fact that it does not charge its members subs. While you will need to pay for your own kit/boat club meals etc. membership of LCBC is completely free - with the boat club covering costs of equipment, race entries and coaching and subsidising training camps and entertainment events.
Nothing! LCBC is very proud of the fact that it does not charge its members subs. While you will need to pay for your own kit/boat club meals etc. membership of LCBC is completely free - with the boat club covering costs of equipment, race entries and coaching and subsidising training camps and entertainment events.
8. What do I need to wear for training/races?
To begin with you just need any athletic clothing (shorts & t shirt etc.). Shoes aren't important as when you row you take your shoes off anyway, although it's better to wear something that you don't mind getting bashed around a bit. In early sessions you will probably be sitting around quite a bit as you learn how to row so make sure that your kit is warm enough (layers are best). For Christ Church Regatta you will row in customized T Shirts which the club will organise nearer the time.
If you decide to continue rowing you will then be able to buy LCBC kit, but initially there is no need to buy anything special.
To begin with you just need any athletic clothing (shorts & t shirt etc.). Shoes aren't important as when you row you take your shoes off anyway, although it's better to wear something that you don't mind getting bashed around a bit. In early sessions you will probably be sitting around quite a bit as you learn how to row so make sure that your kit is warm enough (layers are best). For Christ Church Regatta you will row in customized T Shirts which the club will organise nearer the time.
If you decide to continue rowing you will then be able to buy LCBC kit, but initially there is no need to buy anything special.
10.How do I get involved?
The best time to get involved in the boat club is at the start of Michaelmas term, as this is when the majority of novices begin. Come along to our taster session (not just for freshers!) on the Saturday of 0th week where you will have the chance to meet current members of the boat club, have a go on a rowing machine and get out in a boat for the first time! Even if you're not sure - come along for the free food! If you enjoy yourself then you can try some more outings - details will be provided at the taster session. If you can't make it to the taster session/have any questions then contact our lower boats captains Barnaby Roberts and Miranda Kent.
If you're interested in taking up rowing at any other point in the year just contact Barnaby or Miranda and they'll be happy to help you out.
The best time to get involved in the boat club is at the start of Michaelmas term, as this is when the majority of novices begin. Come along to our taster session (not just for freshers!) on the Saturday of 0th week where you will have the chance to meet current members of the boat club, have a go on a rowing machine and get out in a boat for the first time! Even if you're not sure - come along for the free food! If you enjoy yourself then you can try some more outings - details will be provided at the taster session. If you can't make it to the taster session/have any questions then contact our lower boats captains Barnaby Roberts and Miranda Kent.
If you're interested in taking up rowing at any other point in the year just contact Barnaby or Miranda and they'll be happy to help you out.
5. I'm a member of the MCR, can I join?
Yes - Lincoln has one of the most mixed boat clubs in Oxford in terms of undergraduate and graduate involvement. Last summer VIIIs our W1 crew consisted entirely of graduates and almost all other boats had members of both the JCR and the MCR. If you are a graduate and have any concerns about rowing then please contact our current president Zsofi Novak who should be able to give you some advice and calm your fears!
Yes - Lincoln has one of the most mixed boat clubs in Oxford in terms of undergraduate and graduate involvement. Last summer VIIIs our W1 crew consisted entirely of graduates and almost all other boats had members of both the JCR and the MCR. If you are a graduate and have any concerns about rowing then please contact our current president Zsofi Novak who should be able to give you some advice and calm your fears!
7. What about coxing?
As well as rowers, we are always looking for people to learn how to cox. If you're interested in coxing then please get in touch with our current captain of coxes Daisy Fannin. As a novice cox all that you need is enthusiasm and confidence - it is not necessary to know anything about rowing as your first few outings will take place with an experienced crew who will be able to give you advice, and for your first year you will always have a coach on the bank during your outings. Also, it is a common myth that you need to be exceptionally small or light to cox - at college level it is far more important that you are confident and competent.
As well as rowers, we are always looking for people to learn how to cox. If you're interested in coxing then please get in touch with our current captain of coxes Daisy Fannin. As a novice cox all that you need is enthusiasm and confidence - it is not necessary to know anything about rowing as your first few outings will take place with an experienced crew who will be able to give you advice, and for your first year you will always have a coach on the bank during your outings. Also, it is a common myth that you need to be exceptionally small or light to cox - at college level it is far more important that you are confident and competent.