On 1 August 2020, the three separate rowing clubs of the university – Cambridge University Boat Club, Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club, and Cambridge University Lightweight Rowing Club – became a united club for all men and women, openweights and lightweights, who represent Cambridge and race against Oxford.
The Cambridge University Boat Club was founded in 1828. It issued a challenge in 1829 to Oxford University to row a boat race, with the first race duly held at Henley-on-Thames that year. The event became an annual competition, later moving to the Championship Course on the River Thames from Putney to Mortlake, and becoming a staple of British culture and sport.
The first Women’s Boat Race took place in 1927 on the River Isis in Oxford, after which CUWBC was formed. This race was judged on ‘time and style’ rather than a side-by-side contest. The race was contested side-by-side for the first time in 1935 before becoming an annual event in 1964. After being contested in Henley-on-Thames for many years, the race moved to the Championship Course in 2015 and is now contested on the same day as the men’s race.
A new club, CULRC, was founded in 1974 to provide a lightweight men’s crew to race Oxford. When a lightweight women’s event was established in 1984, the new squad of lightweight women joined CUWBC. The Lightweight Boat Races were contested in Henley-on-Thames until 2019, when they too moved to the Tideway. Beginning in 2024, The Lightweight Boat Races are now contested the day before The Boat Race.
As a unified club, all our resources are shared equally. Our ambition and focus remain unchanged: to set ourselves apart as a top international programme and to beat Oxford on the Tideway.
Governance
Cambridge University Boat Club and The CUBC Foundation are companies limited by guarantee and each has charitable status.
The operation and running of the CUBC is overseen by the RMB, the Rowing Management Board, which comprises the board of directors of the CUBC established in accordance with the CUBC’s articles of association, available here. The articles provide for the annual election of three members of the student leadership team to become members of the RMB (and directors of the company, CUBC). The same student leaders are also directors of The CUBC Foundation and members of the board of The CUBC Foundation.
In addition to the three student members, each of the RMB and the Council have a Vice-Chancellor’s Nominee as a (non-voting) member. The first Vice-Chancellor’s Nominee is Roger Mosey, the Master of Selwyn College and former Head of BBC News and Director of BBC Sport.
Mission and Values
The University of Cambridge’s mission
To contribute to society through the pursuit of education, learning and research at the highest international standards of excellence.
Cambridge University Boat Club’s mission
To equip student-athletes to win boat races, prioritising excellence, wellbeing and inclusivity.
Values
Excellence
Equality
Respect
Values in Action
Excelling on the water by winning and off the water by the highest academic achievement, both underpinned by collaboration, resilience, teamwork, perseverance and discipline.
Delivering competitive and learning experiences of life-long benefit.
Giving the broadest range of people the opportunity to benefit from the formative experience of rowing for Cambridge.
Developing a culture that provides equal access to facilities, equipment and coaching for the benefit of current and future student-athletes.
Respecting each other, the traditions of the legacy clubs, the Boat Races and those we race.
Protecting and supporting the mental health and physical wellbeing of student-athletes.