# St John's College Boat Club (Durham)

St John's College Boat Club (SJCBC) is the rowing club of St John's College, Durham University, England. It was founded in 1910 and is one of the oldest boat clubs in Durham.
SJCBC is a registered Boat Club through British Rowing, with Boat Code "SJC" and is a member organisation of Durham College Rowing.

## History

Rowing began at St John's College in October 1910 when trials were held to select a crew for a IV. In 1911, however, the boat house was built thanks to the help of Revd Watts-Ditchfield who telling commented, "we have not won anything yet but can see improvements." Henry Ganderton played a leading role in developing the Club in the 1910s and 1920s.
In the 1930s James Atkinson likewise made a great impression on rowing at St John's, captaining for both SJCBC and the University.

## Structure

The club is entirely run by students and attracts most of its members from St John's College – though anyone can join with the permission of the Captain of Boats.
The club has around 80 active members. It is run by an executive committee, elected at the club's annual general meeting in June. These are Captain of Boats, Vice-Captain, Men's Squad Captain, Women's Squad Captain, Head Coxswain, Treasurer, Head Boatman, Social Secretary, Secretary to the Regatta Blue Club, Publicity Officer, and Novice Development Officer. The club's alumni association, the Regatta Blue Club, maintains a strong link between past and present students who meet together for major events.

## Competition

The Club competes at a national, regional and college level, and has entered boats into BUCS, Head of the River Race (HoRR), Women's Head of the River Race (WeHorr), and the Boston Rowing Marathon.

### Head of The River Race

St. John’s College Boat Club have raced Head of the River Race fifteen times since 2001. The M1 crew won the Small Academic Pennant in 2023. The Clubs highest finish position is also recorded below.
Awards :
| Year | Award | Position | Time | Crew |
| 2023 | Small Academic Pennant | 201 | 19:56.6 | Coxswain: R. Allen , Stroke: J. Richards, L. Fleming, S. King, B. Sporton, C. Lester, M. Bamforth, T. Holmes, Bow: G. Weston |
Highest Finish Position :
| Year | Position | Time |
| 2009 | 195 | 19:40.45 |

### Women’s Head of the River Race

St. John's College Boat Club have raced Women's Head of the River Race seven times since 2003. The Clubs highest finish position is recorded below.
Highest Finish Position :
| Year | Position | Time |
| 2012 | 188 | 23:47.14 |

### Durham Regatta

Durham Regatta wins since 2009 are listed below.
| Year | Event | Award | Notes |
| 2024 | Op NCA 4+ | Durham University Challenge Trophy | Composite crew with Grey College Boat Club |
| 2022 | W Mdn 4+ | - | - |
| 2015 | IM2.8+(b) | - | - |
| 2013 | Nov.8+ | Lowe Challenge Bowl | - |
| 2010 | IM2.4+ | Rushworth and Storey Challenge Cup | - |
| 2010 | NOV.4+ | Lady Herschell Plate | - |
| 2010 | IM3.4+ | Durham City Plate | - |
| 2009 | IM3.8+ | Arthur C. Clark Challenge Cup | - |

### Other Events

St. John’s College Boat Club has wins in Hexham, Durham City and York Regattas. The club won the Durham College Rowing Senate Cup and the DCR Women's Novice Cup in 2016, 2017 and the 2018 season. In 2018, the novice programme was especially successful, with the Club being overall winners at the DCR Novice Cup. The novice women's boats placed 1st, 2nd and 4th, and the novice men placed 3rd.

## Club colours

The blades are a dark Regatta blue and boats have Regatta blue and crimson chevrons on their bow-canvasses.
The racing Lycra all-in-one is Navy blue with red and white stripes.
The club blazer is white with Regatta Blue trim. Blazers are awarded to members as a sign of long-term commitment and athletic achievement, and is worn by members at formal and informal social events.