Adelaide University Boat Club

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See also: Sport at the University of Adelaide

The Adelaide University Boat Club is a rowing club affiliated with the University of Adelaide. The club was founded in 1881, and in 1896 helped to form the Adelaide University Sports Association. The main clubrooms, donated by Robert Barr Smith in 1909, are located on the north bank of the River Torrens on War Memorial Drive, adjacent to the Adelaide University Sports Grounds. The shed has two boat bays, a gym and weights room and a small bar. The club also leases a secondary boatshed at the South Australian Rowing Association complex on Military Road at West Lakes, and also trains regularly at Port Adelaide's North Arm Creek and Murray Bridge. Members have included rowers of all levels, from total beginners to Olympic Gold Medallists. The club shares the nickname "The Blacks" with the Adelaide University Football Club.^[1]

Contents 1 Competitions 2 Social 3 Notable "Blacks" 4 References 4.1 Notes

[edit] Competitions

One of the primary purposes of the Adelaide University Boat Club, as stated in its constitution, is to field competitive crews in the Intervarsity Championships, especially for the Oxford and Cambridge Cup (Men's Eight). AUBC also competes in local regattas, and has a number of oarsmen who compete at South Australian Sports Institute time trials and the National Regatta.^[2]

Recent performance by the club has been impressive, winning the South Australian State Championships in both Men's and Women's Eights in 2005, 2006 and 2007.^[3] Interstate performance has also been good. The club achieved a number of wins in the Victorian State Championships in 2006, and also gained a number of silver medals and a gold at the National Regatta. Club members have also enjoyed success at the recent Under 23 World Championships in Belgium ^[4].

[edit] Social

According to the club constitution, one of the main purposes of the club is "to promote social intercourse between members of the club". It is fair to say that AUBC upholds this tenet of its existence with much enthusiasm. Whilst not every member is an elite rower, the regular events are attended by large numbers of members and friends.

Events include^[5]:

• Tour Down Under BBQ and Drinks - The Clubrooms are located right on the course of the final stage of the tour. It is open to the public on this day.
• Coaches' Afterparty - Since so many members are involved with coaching highschool crews, the club throws a party following the Public Schools Regatta (Head of the River) for the many adults who are involved with school rowing programs.
• Cocktail Fundraisers - In order to support members competing overseas, AUBC is in the habit of inventing unique cocktails for their fundraising parties.
• Annual Dinner - Usually held in the weeks before Intervarsity, this black-tie event recognaises outstanding contributors to the club, and various annual club trophies are awarded.
• Patron's Party - Held after the last regatta before Christmas.

[edit] Notable "Blacks"

• Steve Fairbairn - One of the early innovaters of slide-rowing and a legendary name in the sport, Fairbairn coached Adelaide University to victory in the Oxford & Cambridge Cup in 1896.

• Sir Collier Cudmore - Gold Medallist in the Men's Coxless Four at the 1908 London Olympics. Although he rowed for Great Britain, he was the first Australian to win an Olympic Gold Medal for rowing.^[6]

• Tim Willoughby - Rowed twice in the Olympic Men's Eight (1980 and 1984), winning Bronze in '84.^[7]

• Kate Slatter - Three time Olympian in the Women's Coxless Four (1992) and Coxless Pair (1996 and 2000), winning Gold at Atlanta '96 and a Silver at Sydney 2000, Kate is the most successful past member of AUBC.^[8]

• Jaime Fernandez - Three time Olympian in the Men's Eight (1992, 1996 and 2000), winning a silver medal in 2000.^[9]

• Amber Halliday - Three time World Champion in the Women's Lightweight Double Scull (2002,'03, '07) and in the Lightweight Quad Scull (2001)^[10], Olympian at the 2004 Athens Games, and multiple winner at the National Championships.^[11]

• Marguerite Houston - World Champion in the Lightweight Quad Scull in 2002, and the Lightweight Double Scull in 2007 with double-partner Amber Halliday (also of AUBC). Houston and Halliday will compete in this crew together at the 2008 Olympic Games.

[edit] References

• Club Homepage
• History of Australian Rowing
• Adelaide University Sports Association

[edit] Notes