Dear Queen’s Rowing Supporters,
The first five months of 2025 have seen Queen’s Rowing off to a tremendous start. With numerous victories and strong performances at both local and national events—alongside a high-performance training camp in Banyoles, Spain—the club is poised for a successful regatta season.
Our year began with a standout showing at BUCS Head in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. Despite challenging weather conditions that led to a condensed schedule and the cancellation of several beginner events, the club remained undeterred. After an overnight journey via Stranraer, our athletes arrived ready to compete—and they delivered. We brought home seven medals, including a remarkable gold for the Beginner Men’s Eight. Our Championship Quad also secured silver, matching last year’s achievement. The overall medal count was one fewer than in 2024, but with 4 less categories available, due to the cancellations, the coaches were pleased with this positive performance and hoped this was a sign of things to come.
Following BUCS Head, the squad traveled to Banyoles, Spain, for our spring training camp. This intensive week brought together 61 athletes and five coaches, providing a vital opportunity for physical and technical development, as well as fostering team cohesion ahead of the competitive season.
Back in Belfast, preparations for BUCS Regatta were in full swing. With the second-highest number of entries of any institution, our presence was a clear indicator of the club’s growing depth and competitiveness. The regatta was a resounding success: Queen’s matched last year’s medal total of 15 but notably increased our gold medal count from 4 to 6. This outstanding performance placed Queen’s second in the overall medal table, just behind Reading, and fifth in the Victor Ludorum standings.
Highlights included gold medals for both the Lightweight Men’s Double and Quad, reinforcing Queen’s reputation for excellence in lightweight rowing. Molly Curry also delivered a commanding victory in the Intermediate Women’s Single, showcasing her technical skill and athleticism.
Our novice squads were equally impressive, securing an incredible nine medals. Most notably, Queen’s became the first programme to win both the Beginner Men’s and Women’s Eights in the same year. The Beginner Women’s Four also claimed gold, while the men secured both silver and bronze in their equivalent event—highlighting the strength in depth of our development squads.
Looking ahead, our focus now shifts to the summer’s major competitions, including Henley Women’s Regatta and the Irish Championships. This is a particularly exciting time for Queen’s Rowing, with exceptional promise and progress evident across all levels of the club. In support of this growth, we are pleased to announce plans to purchase two new First Eights for the 2025/2026 season—ensuring our athletes continue to have the resources they need to thrive.
We are also thrilled to invite you to the premiere of our new documentary, The Road to BUCS Regatta, which chronicles the journey of our club throughout this exceptional season. The screening will take place in Mandela Hall, One Elmwood, on Wednesday, 4th June. Tickets can be booked at the following link: QUB Rowing – The Road to BUCS Regatta Documentary tickets on Wednesday 4 Jun | Queen’s University Belfast Boat Club | FIXR . A teaser clip is also available on our Instagram page—be sure to check it out.
As always, thank you for your continued and unwavering support. The success and development of Queen’s Rowing would not be possible without our passionate and dedicated community.
Kind regards,
Ryan Carney
Rowing Development Officer
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