09/04/2026
Baby steps toward better probiotics with Bonface Gichuki
In this year's Lent Bumps campaign, WCBC went up ten places across all competing crews and rowed over twice. Not a single crew was bumped.
Both the first and second women's crews (W1 and W2) secured Blades (+4), and the first men's (M1) and women's (W1) crews are now in the highest position in the Lent Bump divisions in WCBC history. Jonny Rutherford, Overall Captain and President of WCBC, said, "We are also incredibly proud that a third women’s crew (W3) competed in the Getting-On Race for the first time in WCBC history. We can't wait to keep building on the success of all of our squads in Easter Term!"
To prepare, the Club kicked things off in January with a training camp out of the Cambridge University Boat Club (CUBC) boathouse in Ely with a total of five boats, 51 rowers, and six coxes. That camp – and the training surrounding it – set the groundwork for the rest of the term. With even less time than usual to train for Lent Bumps this term, all crews rapidly got to work. With eighteen water sessions and eight land sessions per week across fie crews, an intense, but productive, term of training got underway.
Particular highlights of this term include the first women’s crew, W1, winning their division in Newnham Head and coming second at the Pembroke Regatta. The men’s side have also managed to rebuild their squad in record speed, following the graduation of lots of senior rowers last year, setting them up very well for Easter Term.
"A huge thanks to all the donors and the College who have supported the Club this term. Without the ability to run training camps, hire some of the best coaches in Cambridge, or access top quality equipment, we simply could not have succeeded as well as we have done this term. Our success is contingent on your support."
Jonny Rutherford, Overall Captain and President of WCBC
A summary of the crews' performances in the Lent Bumps 2026 is as follows:
Women’s First VIII (W1) – Blades:
- Day 1: bumped Newnham W2
- Day 2: bumped Darwin W1
- Day 3: bumped King’s W1
- Day 4: bumped Magdalene W1
Women’s Second VIII (W2) – Blades:
- Day 1: bumped Hughes Hall W2
- Day 2: bumped Anglia Ruskin University W1
- Day 3: bumped Newnham W3
- Day 4: bumped Lucy Cavendish W2
Men’s First VIII (M1):
- Day 1: rowed over
- Day 2: bumped Churchill M1
- Day 3: bumped Lady Margaret M2
- Day 4: rowed over
What’s Next?
All crews are hungry for more success! The first women’s crew is set to race at WEHoRR on the Tideway on Saturday 14 March 2026, while the first men’s crew is set to race at HoRR on Saturday 28 March 2026. The second men’s crew’s training has already gotten underway for May Bumps, with outings and land sessions organised throughout the Lent Bumps. Furthermore, thanks to a major donation from an alumnus in Texas, along with some other contributions, the College has raised the funds for a new boat and the order has been placed. Keep an eye out for the dates of further fixtures on the Cam next term and consider coming to cheer WCBC on from the bank!
Photograph courtesy of AllMarkOne
