Welcome to the Oriel College Boat Club

Oriel College is one of the major rowing colleges at Oxford University and without a doubt the most successful.

For the past 35 years, Oriel has dominated the Oxford rowing scene, topping the Easter bumps races (Torpids) for 25 consecutive years and the summer bumps races (Summer Eights, in which university-level rowers are allowed to compete) more than any other college. The Mens' First Eight are currently Head of the River. In 1985 women were admitted to the College and their astonishing ascent up the bumps charts saw Oriel take the first ever Double Headship in Torpids in 2006.

Oriel has a strong association with the University crews. In 2012 Oriel had four university oarsman, two of whom rowed in The Boat Race. However, rowing at Oriel is open to any member of the College irrespective of previous experience. In 2012, nine of the sixteen 1st VIII rowers were taught from scratch at Oriel.

If that's not quite your thing, Oriel normally fields at least six eights to ensure that anyone who wants to row without getting too involved is able to.The Men's programme is currently headed by coaches Mads Frank and Charlie Jenkins who will take joint responsibility for all rowers from the 1st VIII to the novices, ensuring athlete development. The Women's 1st VIII are coached by James Armitage. We are also eager to maintain our strength in coxing, and ensure that specific coxing coaching is given to both our novice and experienced coxes. Oriel currently has three coxes trialling for university crews.

To enquire about any aspect of rowing or coxing at Oriel, please contact the current captains, Max Lau or Zara Milne.