History & Archive

Ninety-six years on the Isis, in the club's own words.

The Boat Club was founded alongside St Peter’s Hall in 1929. Making waves in their first Torpids Regatta in 1930, the First Eight was named ‘Torpids’ Surprise Crew’ by The Times newspaper, with coaches College Master, Christopher Chavasse and old rowing Blue and College Bursar Toby Tinne.

“St. Peters’ Hall made a brilliant debut, for they only came into existence two years ago. They made a bump every afternoon, and from the ease with which they made them would have gone a long way into the Third Division before reaching the end of their tether. Their performance is the more noteworthy as they have only 40 members on the books. Next year their prospects will be hardly as good, as most of those rowing this year in the Torpids will be requisitioned for their Summer Eights.” — The Times, February 27 1930, p. 7

There was a break in the traditional format of College rowing during the Second World War from 1939–1945. Smaller colleges were grouped together to enable them to compete in inter-collegiate rowing events. Back then, these events were still called The Torpids and Summer Eights however were not acknowledged as official races later on and do not show up in the official statistics.

In 1940, Pembroke College, Corpus Christi and St Peter’s Hall boated together. There are no records of St Peter’s rowers participating in 1941–1945. However, the women of Westfield College – who were housed in the rooms of St Peter’s Hall – were using the facilities of St Peter’s Hall and entered competitions on the Isis.

It wasn’t until 1979 that women competed for St Peter’s College, with one Torpids crew and two Eights. Emily Guilder Cena recalls:

“As a short history, in the fall of 1979 Lauren Chapin, P.J. Long, and I thought it would be a wonderful idea to learn to row, and we managed to find enough other girls at SPC who were also interested to put together a single eight for Torpids. That first crew was: Clare Gilham (stroke), Lauren Chapin, Belinda Jemal, Judith Wilson, Emily Geilker, Eileen Scallen, P.J. Long, and Gillian Chedzoy (bow).

Since it was obvious we were having so much fun rowing, more women wanted to participate and we fielded two ladies eights for Eights Week. Those crews were: 1st Ladies Eight: Julia Ferguson (cox), Emily Geilker (stroke), Judith Wilson, Clare Gilham, Eileen Scallen, P.J. Long, Gillian Chedzoy, Laura Byatt, and Lauren Chapin (bow); 2nd Ladies Eight: Geordie Royle (cox), Caryn Minnit (stroke), S. Tinker, Belinda Jemal, K. Moore, K. Clarke, J. Frank, J. Brown, and A. Gelling (bow).

We were coached by Derek Hickman and T.R. “Chico” Khan-Gandapur.” — Emily Guilder Cena

Photos of crews and events past remind us how steeped in tradition Oxford College rowing is, and make us all the more proud to be part of St Peter’s Boat Club.

St Peter’s College Boat Club has also left its mark on its alumni, who have shared with us photos and memories, and have returned time and time again for dinners and alumni events. Giving back with generous donations without which we would not have our fleet to drive us to every success. To all who have made the boat club what it is today – we cannot thank you enough.

Club Trophies

To every member of the club since its inception who has contributed to the club, worked hard to maintain its standards and to help it improve, and helped the club remain strong so that it has been here for the next generation of members – thank you!

President’s Trophy

The Presidents’ Trophy, donated by J.E.W. Testar Esq., is an annual award presented to the member who has contributed significantly to the club, worked with enthusiastic dedication to maintain its standards and who has helped the club focus on its main goals. Awarded since 1979–80, it began as a prize for the most improved rower before becoming the annual club award for dedication and general achievement in 2000. The original trophy was lost at Eights dinner 2012; a new trophy was first awarded in 2014.

Year	Winner	Year	Winner
2016	Rosie Eccleston	1996	A. Vohringer, V. Jain
2015	Robert Laugwitz	1994	D. Harrison
2014	Karl Hudspith & Oliver Bristowe	1993	M.J. Caldwell, J.D. Carr, S.L. Hodbod
2012	Nicholas Fulton	1992	I.W.G. Gardiner, A. Baker
2011	Una Kim	1991	M. Cox, S.L. Hodbod, A.R. Thomson
2010	Andreas Kranke	1990	J. Laird, A.D. Enthoven, R. Simmons
2009	James Green	1989	I. Gardiner, G. Doreman
2008	Sarah Barbut	1988	J. Steinberg, M. Theaker, K.G. Bibby
2007	Jack Keevill	1987	A.C. Garner, I.T. Pataki
2006	Kate O’Malley	1986	R.M. Jackson, P.E. Leary, P.N. Francis
2004	A.R. Loft	1985	A.C. Hungate, A.W.A. Skinard, J.M. Kinsely
2003	B.D. Nelson	1984	J.P.V. Rendle, R.J. Packer, M.H. Wallace
2001	D.J. Brooke	1983	Tim Trafford, P.D.E. Simpson
2000	T. Moore-Barton	1982	Iron-Man Quinton, Hazel Sparks, M.V. Positano
1998	J.W. Brunt, O. Williams	1981	J.C. Thompson, N.A. Deyes, S. Wyatt
1997	R. Giles, S. Whittaker	1980	M.D. O’Connor, A.C. Jackson

King’s Plate for Most Improved Rower

The silverware for this award was generously sponsored by the King family in 2009, serving as a reminder of the continuous support the Boat Club enjoyed from Francis King.

Year	Term	Winner
2016	Trinity	Pippa Holman; Tom Hadavizadeh
2015	Hilary	Megumi Yamamoto
2014	Michaelmas	Chris Wharton
2014	Hilary	Sooraj Mahesh
2014	Trinity	Josephine Lyon
2013	Michaelmas	Jennifer Wallin
2013	Trinity	Anders Jay
2013	Hilary	Melissa Varney
2012	Michaelmas	Jeff Chen
2012	Trinity	Theresa Leimpek
2012	Hilary	Paul Moore
2011	Michaelmas	Eléonore Cossade
2011	Trinity	Andreas Kranke
2011	Hilary	Daria Huang
2010	Michaelmas	Oliver Bristowe
2010	Trinity	Helene Caldeman
2010	Hilary	James Ghaffari
2009	Michaelmas	Helen Marks
2009	Trinity	Hubert MacGreevy