(L to R) Current Boat Club President David Rogal with former Presidents Matthew Bacon (2009), Luke Dillon (2011) and Robin Gerlach (2008) at the 2012 Henley Reunion.
Boat Club Alumni Meet at Henley
On Saturday 30 June the University of Exeter Boat Club held their annual Alumni Reunion at Henley Royal Regatta.
Over 50 Boat Club alumni attended the reception, which was held during the lunch break from racing on the Saturday. In glorious sunshine, the Club provided Pimms and refreshments to welcome back their former members. Alumni from many generations attended and shared stories on their experiences of rowing at Exeter.
Boat Club Alumni Secretary Sam Swadling (Economics, 2011) helped to organise the event and commented “it was great to see so many former members together at the Henley reunion. Involvement in the club is a major part of student life for many people and the Club continues to provide a fantastic experience for all members, from elite rowers to complete beginners.”
Amongst the attendees were Mark Venn, Andrew Huntley (History, 1975) and Jonathan Wort (Engineering Science, 1973), all of whom rowed together in the University’s coxless four during their time at Exeter in the 1970’s.
The reunion comes at the end of another very successful season for the University’s Boat Club, in which they have accumulated 94 points in British University and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition. This, combined with the two silver medals won at the BUCS Regatta, three pennants won at the Kingston Head and three qualifiers for the Henley Women’s Regatta represents the Club’s most successful season for a number of years. The Club has helped the University of Exeter to a 7th place finish out of 149 institutions in the overall BUCS league table.
It is an exciting time for the rowing at Exeter, with work also underway on construction of a new home for the Club. The new Boathouse, located on the site of the old one on the River Exe, is due for completion before the start of next term and a formal opening will take place on Saturday 13th October. All Boat Club alumni are invited to attend what promises to be a fantastic occasion.
For more information about the Boat Club please contact Alumni Secretary Sam Swadling (Economics, 2011). For more information about sport at the University of Exeter contact the Sports Alumni team.
Date: 5 July 2012
