#=3 University of Edinburgh

OPEN DAYS:	26th September 10th October
WEB

The University 

The University of Edinburgh is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the English-speaking world. Established in 1582, it has built up a reputation as an international centre of excellence, at the very heart of Scotland’s beautiful, historic capital. 20th in the 2020 QS World University rankings, fourth in the UK for research power, and consistently top 10 in the UK for graduate employability. Add to that 19th in the world's most international universities, with students from 160 countries studying at Edinburgh since 2010, 19 Nobel laureates counted among our alumni, faculty members and researchers, and the third largest endowment after Cambridge and Oxford, Edinburgh is undeniably one of the best places to study in the UK.

However, numbers will only get you so far. What sets Edinburgh apart from the other leading universities in the country is the breadth and flexibility of our undergraduate programmes. Studying for four years rather than three gives students the opportunity to explore a range of external subjects in first and second year, with study abroad opportunities or industrial placements in third year. Our students graduate having had a much more well-rounded and diverse experience that leaves them better prepared for life after university, and it is not uncommon for students to change degree or specialism, having discovered along the way that they are better suited to a different subject and not having their programme of study locked in place by the choice they made before coming to university.

The Boat Club

Dating back to 1867, Edinburgh University Boat Club is one of the oldest university boat clubs in Britain, as well as one of the oldest and largest sports clubs within the University of Edinburgh. It has raced the Scottish Boat Race against Glasgow University ever since 1877 and has gone on to produce two Olympic medallists - Dame Katherine Grainger and Polly Swann. 

In 2010, Rowing became one of ten Performance Sport Programmes at the university, enabling access to top class Strength & Conditioning facilities and coaching, the FASIC Sports Injuries Clinic, sports psychologists and other support, as well as substantial investment into our fleet and equipment. Recent years have seen the boat club reach new levels of success, with numerous wins at BUCS and HWR, top ten finishes at HORR and WeHORR, and culminating in Edinburgh becoming the first and only Scottish university to win an event at Henley Royal Regatta in 2016. In 2015 the club was recognised as a British Rowing High Performance Programme and counts various U23 World Champions among its present and former members.

This recent success has not changed EUBC’s focus on encouraging and enabling as many students as possible to take up and enjoy rowing, and to support and develop them in reaching their goals, no matter what level they join. We have taken students who have never rowed before and made them U23 and Senior medallists, and our senior squads are open to all who are willing to commit to the grind.

Coaching

HEAD OF ROWING – COLIN WILLIAMSON

Since becoming Head of Rowing in 2013, Colin has led the club to its first Henley win, coached U23 crews to medals, and overseen the development of the club into the High Performance centre it is today. A three-time HRR winner, he likes to lead by example and throw himself into the intensity ergs he writes into the club’s programme.

colin.williamson@ed.ac.uk

SENIOR WOMEN’S COACH – JOHN HIGSON

John is himself an alumni of EUBC, having gone from being a student athlete, to a volunteer and then full-time coach. John has taken crews to several wins at HWR and last season his women’s squad took home the VL at BUCS Head and BUCS Regatta. For this feat he also took home Scottish Rowing’s coach of the year award.

john.higson@ed.ac.uk

SENIOR MEN’S COACH – PADDY HUDSON

Paddy joined us this year from Glasgow, having previously learned to row and coach at Imperial. Prior to its abrupt end, this season he coached the senior men to a win at Fours Head, and 3 Championship medals at BUCS Head.

PERFORMANCE PATHWAY COACH – MICHAEL HUGHES

Mike joined Edinburgh having coached at Newcastle University, been Head Coach in Aberdeen, and latterly launched the up and coming programme at De Montfort University. He is looking to use this experience to build on EUBC's rich history and success in Beginner rowing.

Achievements

• The best performance of any British university at the 2019 U23 World Championships, with 4 gold medals, and 11 medals won in the last five years

• 2016 Prince Albert Challenge Cup winners

• 14 wins at Henley Women’s Regatta

• Top ten finish at HORR in 2018, and at WeHORR in 2017 and 2018

• Women’s Victor Ludorum at BUCS Head and BUCS Regatta in 2019, with EUBC 3rd overall

Facilities

• Our very own Dame Katherine Grainger rowing gym with over 50 Concept2 ergs can be found in the university’s Pleasance Sport Complex and Gym, 10 mins walk from the central George Square campus.

• The Rowing Performance Sport programme enables access to top class Strength & Conditioning facilities and coaching, professional physiotherapists and sports massages through the FASIC Sports Injuries Clinic, sports psychologists, nutritional advice and mentoring.

• Water training at Strathclyde Country Park, Scotland’s only 2km, 6 lane regatta course, which has hosted the Home International Regatta, British Rowing Championships and the Commonwealth Games. Our new boathouse is set to be built at Strathclyde.

• The University has a scholarship scheme which rewards talented athletes with additional support services and funding to help them fulfil their potential. Current threshold standard is a Junior Worlds medal, although potential is also taken into account. Applications are by way of contacting the Head of Rowing direct. 

• Almost £400k invested in racing shells in the past 6 years through our close relationship with Hudson. We have been able to build an extensive fleet from singles through to eights, including USPs in every boat class.

Anecdotes

“Being part of EUBC during my time at Edinburgh has been instrumental in improving myself both as an athlete and as a student.” - Flora Blake-Parsons, recent graduate of EUBC, part of the winning crew in Championship Coxless Fours at 2019 Henley Women’s Regatta