U is for Universities
A SUBC crew in their distinctive spotty livery
The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, also known as the Boat Race, is an annual rowing race between the University of Oxford Boat Club (founded 1829) and the University of Cambridge Boat Club (founded 1828). The race takes place on the River Thames in London and is one of the world's oldest and most prestigious rowing events.
A little late to the party, Scotland's ancient universities took note and the University of Edinburgh formed a boat club in 1867. Glasgow followed suit in 1877 (not 1867, as often reported). 'Amateur' writing in the Glasgow Herald stated, 'the club once started would challenge to the Light and Dark Blue' (Oxbridge). The club committee was appointed on 19 February, and tenders for a 'club barge', were sent out in April.
The first intervarsity competition was held on the 'somewhat odoriferous' Clyde on 28 July 1877. Spectators climbed on roofs, and the more experienced Edinburgh University were favourites over Glasgow's novices who'd never rowed the 42ft outrigger gigs being used. Despite this, the Glasgow crew won in 10 minutes 45 seconds over the course of 1 mile, 7 furlongs. This contest is now the third oldest university boat race in the world.
The club was affiliated to Glasgow University Athletics Club in 1919 and met in the University Union before moving to the new East Boathouse at Glasgow Green in 1924. 1924 also saw teams travel to compete against the university in Oslo, Norway. A woman's section (the Ladies Boat Club) was established in 1966, with 40 members recorded in 1987. The GUBC united with the Ladies Boat Club in 2004, enabling teams to compete in the Henley, British University and College Sport (BUCS) and Home International Regattas and the Scottish and GB National Championships. In 2015-16, the women's team won the BUCS gold and the men won the Scottish Universities Head Race.
The yellow and black club colours can be seen at many events, as are such elite GURC graduates as Claire Aitken, who rowed for the Oxford Women's crew in the 2023 Boat Race. Miriam Payne (women's captain, 2020-21) rowed solo across the Atlantic in the Talisker Whiskey Challenge, a charity fundraiser, and set a new course record.
GUBC womens eight. Photo by Steve Selwood
Strathclyde University Boat Club was founded in 1967 by former university alumni (date provided by Alan Easson). Since then, the club has had a somewhat peripatetic history, shuttling between the West and East Boathouses and most recently, a stint in a rather dilapidated shed. As of 2023, the club will return to its roots, sharing the West Boathouse with Clyde and Clydesdale ARC's.
Their first boat was a coxed four, 'Lady Valerie' - named for the wife of the club's Honorary President, shipbuilder Sir William Lithgow, who either paid for or heavily subsidised the purchase. Over the years the club has had various racing colours, maroon with white diagonal, plain red, maroon with a horizontal white stripe before settling on their current livery - white with maroon spots.
SUBC were the first Scottish club to win at a foreign international regatta, taking gold at Bosbaan Regatta in the Netherlands in the early 1970's. This was followed by Alec Snyder winning at Nottingham International in the mid 1970's. Another notable alumnus, Team GB rower Sam Scrimgeour, took home the gold at both the World and European championships in the coxless lightweight pairs in 2015 and 2016 and bagged an impressive two silver medals at the European Championships and three bronzes at the Worlds, between 2012 and 2016. The Parsonage brothers, scions of the Glasgow Humane Society dynasty, managed and coached while still students in 2021, with Chris Parsonage as Club Captain. Along with several finalists, including double and single sculls, two crews won medals at the BUCS regatta in 2023.
A graduate club, Lake of Menteith Boat Club, was formed in 1992 and raced with some success for a few years, including racing at the Barony Cup races, established in 2013, which pit graduates against current students.
