UCBC Boathouse
UCBC is fortunate to reside in a brand new, multi-million pound boathouse.
The University College Boathouse is conveniently located on the south bank of the Isis (i.e. the River Thames in Oxford), opposite the row of college boathouses. To get to the boathouse, cross Folly Bridge just past Christ Church college and turn left onto the towpath, following the river until you reach the boathouse.
It’s award-winning architectural design has made it an iconic feature in Oxford and among boathouses nationwide. It was also featured in the Row360 magazine.
The original 19th century boathouse designed by John Oldrid Scott, was tragically destroyed through arson in 1999. After eight years, a new boathouse was finished, designed by Belsize Architects. Featuring three boat bays, a maintenance workshop, club room, viewing terrace, erg room and accomodation factilities, it's size and facilities make it pre-eminent among Oxford's many boathouses.
The Saturday of Eights Week in 2007 saw the opening of the new boathouse by Colin Moynihan (1974), who coxed for University College and Oxford University, won a silver medal at the Moscow Olympics in 1980, gained a boxing Blue, later became Minister of Sport, and then Chairman of the British Olympic Association. The ceremony also marked the dedication of the Coleman Viewing Terrace by Jimmy Coleman (1963) and Jamie Coleman (1994); it is named due to their gift.
The Boathouse has been awarded a Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA) prize. The £2.7million structure has enjoyed a very favourable reception in the architectural world. An article describes the structure as not just a boathouse, but "a grandstand of the first order" arguing that it represents a new age in rowing.
Training Facilities
Within the boathouse, our fleet is one of the largest and most modern among any Oxford college. Containing modern boats of every class, it includes three brand new Empacher eights. We don't have one gym but two! Our gym at the boathouse, boasts eight Concept 2 Model Ds which are typically kept on sliders. Meanwhile we also have a weights gym in the college itself, which is full of free standing wights. Our members also have unlimited free access to all the training facilities of the University Sports Complex on Iffley Road. With our endowment we are also privileged to recruit the highest quality coaches to help our top crews reach their full potential. Exclusive Training Lake Access at Caversham: Our 1st VIII crews have unrivalled access to locations for water outings, including exclusive access to the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake in Caversham, being the only college in Oxford or Cambridge granted access. Caversham's first-class lake and facilities are used only by the GB squad, the University Blues squad and ourselves, University College Boat Club. We also train regularly at Eton Dorney, Abingdon, Swindon and Radley to escape the congestion of the Isis in Oxford.