University rowing in the United Kingdom

University rowing in the United Kingdom began when it was introduced to Oxford in the late 1700s. The first University Boat Race (between Oxford and Cambridge) was held in 1829. Today, many universities have a boat club and at the college based universities, Oxford, Cambridge, London, and Durham, each college has its own club as well as a main university club.

BUSA

Most universities compete in the British Universities Sports Association (BUSA) championships with a number of events over the year. For non-indoor events, boats are separated into Championship (the 1st boat), Junior (any subsequent boats) and Novice (as defined by the ARA).

British Indoor Rowing Championships

A 2 km indoor rowing race. Individual events for BUSA competitors (Men/Women Hwt/Lwt). There are also Victor Ludorum trophies for the best 8 men, women and combined teams. The event is staged at the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham during November.

BUSA Head of the River

A 5 km head race held on the River Trent in Nottingham during February or March. The competition is split into 3 divisions to cater for the vast number of entries. Categories are usually split with "Championship" men and "Championship" women in different divisions. This system continues with men's and women's "Junior", "Novice" and "Fresher Challenge" crews in opposite divisions. This system allows Universities to share their best boats between their best crews.

BUSA Regatta

A 2 km regatta held (usually at Holme Pierrepont) over the May Day weekend. Points for the Victor Ludorum are awarded for finishing places in the finals (more points for champ events and bigger boats). In 2005 Durham University Boat Club were 1st, followed by Reading University in 2nd place and UL behind them in 3rd place. DUBC followed up their wins in 2004 and 2005 by taking the title for a third time in 2006, and followed it up with an unprecedented fourth victory in 2007. In 2008 the BUSA regatta will be held at Strathclyde Country Park, as NWSC is not available that weekend. Two weeks earlier, a BUSA Sprint Regatta will be held at Cotswold Water Park.

"Splash and Dash"

Held in late November early December this is a race for 'Fresher' and beginner crews and consists of a short head race on the River Trent followed by two sprint races (1km and 500m) on the lake at Holme Pierrepont

Other competitions

A number of university boat clubs have organised annual races between themselves. These include:

Oxford and Cambridge - University Boat Race
Durham and Newcastle - Northumbrian Water University Boat Race
Bristol and UWE - Bristol Boat Race
Edinburgh and Glasgow - Edinburgh Glasgow University Boat Race
York and Lancaster - Part of Roses Tournament
Aberdeen and Robert Gordon University - Aberdeen Universities Boat Race
Manchester and Salford - Two Cities Boat Race
University of London Colleges - Allom Cup
Birmingham and Warwick - Varsity Boat Race
Trinity College, Dublin and Queens University Belfast - Irish University Boat Race
Swansea University and Cardiff University - Welsh boat race
Queen Mary, University of London (non-medical section) and Barts and The London, Queen Mary's School of Medicine and Dentistry (medical school of QMUL) - Part of the Merger Cup

There are separate bumps races held every year for the Cambridge colleges, Oxford colleges, and London medical schools (called the "United Hospital Bumps").