A tradition on the River Dee that all started with two jealous rowers.
Envious of the Scottish Boat Race between Glasgow and Edinburgh Universities, Aberdeen students Nathan Birch and his pairs partner John Langley, decided it was time to bring something similar to the Granite City.
A challenge was put to Bob Gibson, captain of Robert Gordon University, for a mixed sex boat race between the two clubs, which was accepted.
The rules were simple: Teams of eight were to be made up of male and female athletes, a coin toss would decide river stations and the finishing line would be at Aberdeen Boat Club.
Rowing had been hosted on the river since the mid 19th century but it had never decided a winner between the two universities.
For 25 years the Aberdeen University Boat Race has tested the skills and athletic abilities of the city’s rowers in what has now become Scotland’s second oldest boat race.
First taste of victory
Aberdeen University had a convincing victory in the first boat race, in 1996.
The Aberdeen eight took the lead over RGU at the first bend and kept the pressure up all the way. By the finishing line, Aberdeen were several lengths ahead of their rivals who never managed to recover.
In keeping with tradition, the cox of the winning crew, Alan Rose, had a cold end to the race when his team-mates threw him in the river.
Speaking at the time, RGU captain, Bob Gibson said: “It was a good hard race”.
What he didn’t know was that it was going to get a lot harder before his crew would become winners on the river.
Dominant decade
The first race paved the way for a dominant spell for AUBC who won the next nine races from 1996 to 2005.
Aberdeen University’s John Langley remembers it well.
He said: “For a while it was pretty one-sided and AUBC tended to have the stronger pool of rowers to choose from.
“It wasn’t that RGU were poor, they had really good individual athletes but just not the numbers or depth to choose from to make up an eight.
“From my understanding the RGU principal was keen on his rowing so invested resources into the university’s set up.
“Rowing started to gather a bit of pace and this subsequently helped them increase their club size and pool of athletes.”
Gust blows RGU’s chances
In 1998, the Robert Gordon crew lost any chance winning the race after they were blown off course and into a pillar of the King George VI bridge by a sudden fierce gust of wind shortly after the start.
Alison Bain was the RGU coxswain that day and it is something she has not forgotten.
Two households, both alike in dignity
The 2009 boat race played out like a scene from a play by Shakespeare.
After picking up their first win in 2006, RGUBC were eager to clinch their second and for coach Alison Bain, nothing would be sweeter than to steal victory from the AUBC coach – and her husband – Gary Bain.
A loving family turned sworn enemies for just one day.
“It was so sweet, but even sweeter because it was against my husband,” said Mrs Bain.
“It was a really significant victory and the crew thoroughly deserved it.”
Aberdeen University Boat Race is an honour
Taking to the waters of the River Dee, crews of Aberdeen University and Robert Gordon University will not only settle their differences but celebrate the unique 25th anniversary of the race.
Lizzie Buchan, president of RGUBC, believes it’s a momentous occasion for all, she said: “This is my third race but first as president.
“It’s a big honour to be part of something that has been going on for so long and to hear stories from the alumni rowers, it’s something we can all bond over together.
“We train with the other crew all year long (as part of the University Rowing Aberdeen, URA, partnership), but as soon as the boats get announced late February the divisions start and you can already feel the tension.
“On the day everyone gets into race mode – it’s all about tactics and secrets. If they are your best friend or related on that day it doesn’t matter.”
AUBC president, Katie Sugden, believes the URA programme brings out the best of rowing in the Granite City and creates a dynamic atmosphere on race day.
She added: “Building up to the boat race can be really fun with the rivalry that we have.
“We bounce off each other and everyone gets competitive. It’s going to be very exciting.
“I think it’s going to be a close race this year, we’ve had a couple of replacements and it has been tricky trying to formulate a crew, so I think it’s going to be tight.
“You don’t typically have a mix of men and female athletes in rowing and that makes this race unique and special on the day.
“It gets the spirit going and is more inclusive for everyone.”
Dead legs and dedication
Months of hard work and weeks of training all come down to one day and a few minutes of racing.
The 25th Aberdeen University Boat Race promises to be an exciting event with spectators lining the banks of the Dee in anticipation as to who will be crowned champions.
A momentous occasion but it’s not been an easy journey as the crews will tell you for themselves.
It will all come down to the narrowest of margins but it is all to play for in the 25th Aberdeen University Boat Race.
