150 years of Hertford College Boat Club!

21 October 2025

We were delighted to welcome back rowers from the 1950s to the present day to our Hertford College Boat Club Anniversary Lunch on Saturday 11 October.

October 2025 marks 150 years since the establishment of Hertford College Boat Club and 50 years of women rowing. Former Boat Club members, sporting a fine array of Hertford colours and blazers, joined us to celebrate in style with a drinks reception in the Chapel, followed by lunch in Hall.

Olympic Silver Medallist Zoe Lee (Geography, 2004) spoke of how formative an experience her time with the Boat Club had been for her, and Paul Watts (Geography, 1965) spoke warmly of the Boat Club Society and the enduring links between members from the 1950s to the present day, encouraging recent HCBC members to join and contribute to the alumni society.

Interim Principal and former Boat Club Senior Member Pat Roche said,

‘What a pleasure it was to have such a broad representation of members joining us for this celebration. The event was a wonderful opportunity to reconnect, reminisce and celebrate the Boat Club’s rich history and achievements, and we look forward to many more years of HCBC success and community. Hertford has the best located boat house and the best slogan: Fear the Deer!’

Pat extended special thanks to Graham Topping, who has coached the first eight for 30 years. He also expressed thanks for the generosity of our supporters and especially Boris Tyzuk, whose gift subsidised the costs of current and recent HCBC rowers at the event.

The Boat House, Eights Week, May 2022