Novices

We run taster sessions at the beginning of the academic year as an introduction into rowing. If you are thinking of joining come and find us at the freshers fair and keep an eye on our social media to see the time of the taster sessions. Below are many of the FAQs that people thinking of joining rowing may have.

How many sessions per week?

As a novice the intensity of training is slowly built up to around 4 sessions per week with 2 of those being on the water sessions, 1 rowing machine session and 1 circuits session.
What races do I compete in as a novice?

In your novice year you will quickly gain racing experience. Often novices will race in a head race in their first term of rowing in late November. In spring term races are much more frequent. The whole club will compete in the local tideway head races in second term including Quintin head and Hammersmith head. The head race season culminates in the Head of the River Race which is held on our local stretch of water and is one of the biggest head races in the world. The summer term is dedicated to regatta racing, beginning with BUCS regatta. This is an oppurtunity to race other university novice crews over a sprint distance. During summer term the novice and senior squads will combine so you are given a chance to make your way into a senior boat for the regatta season. The season finale is Henley Royal Regatta, which novices will try to qualify a boat for.
What chances are there to travel?

The novice squad join the senior squad for a training camp held in the easter holidays for 7-10 days. Past destinations have been Banyoles and Seville.
Whats the difference between Head and Regatta racing?

Head racing - Long distance time trial, crews sent off one-by-one. 10-20 mins. Winter. Regatta racing - Sprint distance 2k racing, 6 lane racing. 5-7 mins. Summer.
How much does rowing cost?

The boat club is very privileged to be one of the best funded and supported sports clubs at Imperial. Therefore the cost of rowing at Imperial is significantly lower than at other universities. All athletes are supported by our dedicated team of professional coaches focused on helping you to get the most out of rowing at university.
Where do you train?

ICBC is based within the college owned boat house on Putney embankment. The boat house is for the sole use of Imperial College Boat Club and has all the facilities required to train to the highest level. These include a fully equiped free weights gym and 25 rowing machines.

Any more questions?