Last weekend, the University of Cambridge and Cambridge University Boat Club officially launched the Women’s Boat Race Centenary year, bringing together eight generations of Cambridge women to honour the past, celebrate the present, and look ahead to the next chapter in a remarkable story.
The first Women’s Boat Race took place on 15 March 1927 on the Isis in Oxford. Over the following decades, the event evolved significantly, alternating between Oxford and Cambridge before moving to Henley and ultimately finding its permanent home on the Championship Course in London. Since 2015, the women’s race has been staged alongside the men’s race on equal terms, reflecting both the growth of the event and the extraordinary achievements of the generations of women who helped make it possible. The centenary itself will be formally celebrated at The Boat Race on 11 April 2027.
A Return to Ely
The weekend began at Ely Boathouse, where many alumnae visited CUBC’s on-water training facility for the first time. Opened in 2017, the boathouse represents a significant milestone in the Club’s history as the first purpose-built facility where Cambridge men’s and women’s squads train together under one roof.
Guests enjoyed meeting current student-athletes, touring the facility, and taking to the water in reunion crews. The day also featured a trial run for the re-enactment of the first Women’s Boat Race, which will take place on 15 March 2027, exactly one hundred years after the original event.
The re-enactors will wear replica racing kit inspired by that worn by the pioneering crews of 1927, including hand-knitted jumpers being created by alumnae around the world. Welcoming guests to Ely, alumna Fiona Morrison reflected on rowing for Cambridge in 1977, noting that she found herself sitting exactly in the middle of the Club’s first century of women’s rowing.
A Celebration at Newnham
The morning at Ely was followed by a Garden Party at Newnham College, hosted by Cambridge Vice-Chancellor Professor Deborah Prentice. More than 250 guests gathered from across eight generations of Cambridge rowers, supporters, and friends of the Club.
Olympian and alumna Cath Bishop opened proceedings before inviting Professor Prentice to address the audience. In her remarks, the Vice-Chancellor highlighted the central role that Cambridge colleges have played throughout the history of women’s rowing.
The inaugural 1927 crew was composed entirely of students from Newnham College. In 1941, the formation of Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club brought together rowers from Newnham and Girton Colleges. Later, the establishment of the women’s lightweight programme owed much to the support of Murray Edwards College (then New Hall), which provided a boat for the first lightweight women’s crew in 1984.
Professor Prentice then introduced alumna and former President Sophie Paine Joffrin, who entertained guests with a mixture of Club history, traditions, and light-hearted observations. Among the more memorable facts shared was the remarkable success of Cambridge crews featuring a rower named Susan, with more than two dozen winning crews including at least one.
An Evening of Reflection and Inspiration
Guests then gathered for a formal dinner at Newnham College, bringing together alumnae from the 1950s through to current students.
The evening was opened by alumna and current Boat Race Umpire Sarah Langslow, who welcomed guests before introducing Rosemary Allen, the most senior alumna in attendance, to deliver Grace.
Throughout dinner, historic photographs and archive footage charted the story of women’s rowing at Cambridge, including footage of Rosemary racing for Cambridge during the 1950s. These glimpses into the past provided a powerful reminder of the women whose determination and commitment laid the foundations for today’s crews.
The keynote address was delivered by Dame Louise Makin. Reflecting on her experiences as a Cambridge rower and member of the Club’s first women’s lightweight crew, Dame Louise spoke compellingly about leadership, teamwork, and culture. Her remarks demonstrated how the lessons learned through rowing continue to shape lives and careers long after students leave Cambridge.
The evening concluded with Olympian Sarah Winckless introducing the Club’s 2027 student presidents, Eloise Etherington and Lauren Allegretti, President and Lightweight President respectively.
Sarah encouraged alumnae from every era to support Eloise and Lauren as they lead the women’s squads through this landmark year. She also announced that the pair will lead CUBC’s Women’s Boat Race Centenary campaign, which aims to fund two new women’s boats as a lasting legacy of the centenary celebrations.
Preserving and Sharing Our History
The celebrations continued on Sunday with an archival exhibition at Goldie Boathouse, curated by Club archivists and alumni Steve Jones and Kath Pocock.
Visitors explored the rich history of women’s rowing at Cambridge through historic photographs, memorabilia, racing kit, and equipment spanning the Club’s first century. Guests were also able to take home replica archive photographs to commemorate the weekend.
The Club extends its sincere thanks to Newnham College Archivist Frieda Midgley for her expertise, support, and guidance in helping develop and preserve the Club’s archive.
Join Us During the Centenary Year
Last weekend marked the beginning of what promises to be a memorable year of celebration and reflection. We would be delighted to welcome alumni and supporters to the events planned throughout the year ahead.
7 December 2026
Club Christmas Drinks, London
15 March 2027
Centenary Re-enactment of the First Women’s Boat Race, Isis, Oxford
10 April 2027
Veterans’ and Lightweight Boat Races, followed by alumni and supporter drinks at The Duke’s Head, Putney
11 April 2027
The Boat Race and The Cambridge Boat Race Dinner, marking the Centenary. As we celebrate 100 years since the first Women’s Boat Race, we hope to fill the room with Cambridge women from every generation. Please do save the date and join us for this historic occasion.
Centenary Magazine
If you have not yet had the opportunity to read Against the Stream, our Women’s Boat Race Centenary commemorative magazine, you can view it below.
Image credit for all event images: Nordin Catic