Trial Eights dates

Trial Eights form a crucial part of The Boat Race season each year. The athletes will race the full length of the Championship Course from Putney to Mortlake. It is an important learning curve for new triallists and a chance for each squad member to show their potential. Trial Eights are also a great opportunity for the coaches to see how their athletes fare under the unique side by side racing and the unpredictable conditions on the Tideway.

The squads will be split in two, with the coaches hoping to create evenly matched crews to test the individual rowers on their ability to perform under pressure. As per The Boat Race, the crews will race from Putney to Mortlake along the full 4 ¼ mile course.

Oxford’s Trial Eights will take place on Wednesday 11th December. Oxford University Women’s Boat Club will start at 11:00, followed by Oxford University Men’s Boat Club who will at 12:00.

Cambridge University Boat Club and Cambridge University Women’s Boat Club will both have their Trial Eights on Monday 16th December. The CUWBC Trial will begin at 14:45 whilst the CUBC Trial will begin around an hour later at 15:45.

Each of the trials will be umpired by the respecting race umpire; Judith Packer for the women and Sarah Winckless for the men.