The Oxford crew, known as the "Dark Blues" because of the dark navy blue of the club’s colours, is organised, trained and selected by Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC).

OUBC’s training facility is part of the world-famous Iffley Road sports centre - where Sir Roger Bannister ran the first sub-four-minute mile. Here the crews work out on ergometers (indoor rowing machines). The coaches also have the opportunity to provide support on rowing technique by use of the indoor rowing tank.

OUBC also puts a lot of emphasis on sports science support and much of the testing is also done at Iffley Road. Most afternoons the crews will train on the water at Wallingford. A new boat-house is soon to open there.

Oxford’s reserve crew on Race day is known as Isis.