Development Squad

We run a development programme for students who have learned to row with their college boat club and who want to improve and be considered for the university. 

Coached Ergo Sessions

During Michaelmas and Lent Terms, coached ergo sessions are run at Goldie Boathouse for college athletes who are considering rowing with us in the future. These sessions are a mixture of technical and distance work, designed to provide the knowledge to support rowers training with their college crews.

Patrick Ryan coaching the Cambridge University Rowers. Photo (C) Cambridge Independent.

Summer Squad

The main Summer Squad runs for 4 weeks after the end of Easter Term. It’s an intensive schedule, designed to get the most fitness and technical benefit out of the time available. The programme also involves competing at selected regattas to gain racing experience.  Although intense, training will allow those who are PhD students, or who have academic/work experience placements and internships, to participate without missing sessions.

BUCS Regatta

The BUCS Regatta in May includes Beginners events for athletes who have been rowing since the start of the current academic year. We enter crews for BUCS every year, with considerable success.

Henley Women’s and Henley Royal Regattas

CUBC often fields Development crews at Henley Women’s Regatta at the end of June and at Henley Royal the following week. Crews are selected from those signed up to the Summer Development squad. They train together after exams are finished and around college rowing commitments. While preparation time is limited compared to much of the opposition, competing at Henley is a great way to develop side-by-side racing experience.

Often Lightweights and Openweights race together at these events.

2024/25 Development Squad

The 2024/25 Development Squad will operate principally in the Summer Term, working with your college Bumps preparation and looking to BUCS, multilane racing, and Henley Women’s and Henley Royal Regattas.

Any rowers who are already students at the University of Cambridge and might have considered being part of this year’s Development Squad are encouraged to contact our Mens Assistant Coach, Bill Lucas or our Womens Assistant Coach, Matilda Horn.

Our Chief Coaches, Rob Baker (men) and Patrick Ryan (women), will then advise on details for trialling to be part of the Squad preparing for the 2025 Boat Races.