Club Ethos and Crews

X-Press is a socially minded but competitive veteran boat club, rowing on the river Cam in Cambridge, UK. The club equipment and boats are kept and maintained at CRA boat house. The club has 4 VIIIs, two IVs, one pair, one double and one scull. The X-Press BC specialises in men's veteran rowing, especially men returning to rowing after a break, and with equal status womens rowing of all ages. There are club members from novice through to very experienced, and a few members hold ARA points.

Originally formed by Chris and Debbie Lloyd of the Free Press Public House as Free Press Boat Club, the club moved to 'The Blue' (The Cambridge Blue pub, on Gwydir Street in Cambridge) in 2002 and changed its name to X-Press Boat Club. In 2007 Chris and Debbie retired from the Blue and at present the club meets informally in the Punter pub off Pound Street. The club enters most on-Cam events and several off-Cam events during the year. The boat club has links with the Aniene BC, Italy, and together with the City BC, organises the Winter League series in Cambridge as well as its own head race in the summer.

The Club abides by the ARA Water Safety code where applicable. Prospective members must be able to swim at least 100 meters in light clothing and attest to a health statement.

Current crews and recruiting status:

Women

Saturday Ladies:

The crew consists of mainly (but not exclusively) veteran women, including several experienced returning oarswomen. We focus on CRA events on the Cam, but also have an interest in 'friendly' events at home and abroad. At the moment we are not looking for any additional crew members.

Sunday Ladies:

The crew is a friendly mix of women in both experience and age. We enter CRA events on the Cam, and focus on improving our rowing technique. At the moment we are not looking for any additional crew members.

Contact for all ladies captains This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Men

XP1:

XP1 is a social crew of reasonably experienced rowers aged between 20 and 50 something. We generally row about 3 times per week, Saturday, Sunday and a midweek evening. We are a squad of around 12 rowers, some rowing more regularly than others. We race a variety of events in eights, fours, pairs and sometimes doubles and sculls. We compete at IM2 (nearly IM1) level and also at veteran events as VETA, B and C (over 27, over 36 and over 43). We are 2010 VETB national champions and fifth on the river in Cambridge Town Bumps. If you are interested in rowing please email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

XPC:

This crew was a development squad that "Graduated" in 2009 by winning Nov C8 at NatVets and silver in Nov C4+. Training outings are 5 times a week (most attend 3 or 4 outings) with a coach, and the crew are mostly Dads with tight work diaries, therefore row at 6.30am three times/week including all winter in 4s and 8s. Rows off-Cam in big events including: Vesta Vets, NatVets, Henley Vets, Boston Marathon and VetsFoursHead. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

7.47 crew (Saturday Veterans):

An experienced veteran C/D crew composed of ‘returning’ oarsmen, too lazy to meet at 8.00am, who enter most on Cam events but who rarely row off-Cam. Survive well at the top of division 2 as XPBC 3rd boat in the town bumps. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Sunday Veterans:

Experienced veteran C/D crew, rowing Sunday mornings. Currently recruiting. Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Older Veteran:

There are a core of rowers within X-Press in VET E - H category who row regularly.

Contact for all men's captains This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it