Sports Editor Amaya Sharma looks at the success of KCL Women’s Rowers across the summer, highlighting a sport that traditionally attracts less attention.
It has been a summer to remember for KCL’s female rowers.
A sport many only notice during the annual Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race comes alive at universities across the country. The success and hard work of these women show that student life is more than essays and exams, a point worth remembering for freshers arriving this September.
London universities each have their own boat clubs. At King’s, the King’s College London Boat Club (KCLBC) is welcoming at every level while still competitive, and thrives on community and positive energy.
KCLBC’s standout moment came at the Henley Women’s Regatta with their entrance into the Cathy Cruickshank Aspirational Academic Cup. The women’s four—Alice Doyle, Beth Williamson, Izzy Cantwell, and Flavie Derville—qualified for the first round of heats, having not done so for two years. They were knocked out by K.S.R.V. Njord, who went on to win the event, but the run placed KCL among some of the toughest academic crews.
Their hard work and dedication were clear through this achievement and the club could not be more proud, especially beating their near-neighbours United Hospitals.
Silver All Around at BUCS
The regatta half of the season opened in May with BUCS Regatta. Across the weekend, KCL athletes collected three silvers in three different categories, a statement that they sit among the best student crews in the country.
- Women’s Championship 8+ – Emily Hegarty and Georgie Banton steamed the boat home, narrowly losing out to Newcastle by 2 seconds
- Women’s Intermediate 8+ – Nina Topiol and Sophie Hudson kept the streak alive, only missing out on gold by a second to Oxford Brookes
- Women’s Championship 4- – Emily Hegarty joined Jessie Martin, along with two others to secure their third silver medal of the weekend.
Taking on Rowing’s Most Prestigious Stage: Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is the stretch of water every rower dreams about, and qualifying places you among the world’s elite student and club crews. Before 1992, women were barred from competing there. This summer, KCL athletes earned their lane and took on the full 2,112 metres with the booms and crowds on either side.
In the Town Challenge Cup, a four-boat class, Jessie Martin and Emily Hegarty raced all week to reach the Saturday semi-finals. They powered through the morning but fell to Hollandia, the eventual winners.
Four other KCL rowers also raced at Henley but exited earlier in the week. Even competing on that course is an exceptional accomplishment, and one these student athletes will remember for a lifetime.
Gold on the World Stage
KCL success travelled beyond domestic waters. Representing Great Britain, Jessie Martin clinched gold, setting a new world record at the U23 World Rowing Championships, successfully defending her title and capping her university journey in style. Daisy Faithfull brought home more gold in the women’s eights in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany at the FISU Summer World University Games.
Rowing is more than a sport: it forges teamwork, discipline, willpower, and endurance – qualities that run through this squad’s summer. It also offers something students value: belonging. If you are a fresher looking for a new challenge, or a current student curious to try something different, the message from KCL’s female rowers could not be clearer: have a go.
If cheering from the bank is more your speed, the sport’s social scene is lively and inclusive, and the racing can be spectacular. Just head down to a Tideway fixture or a regatta and you’ll see why. Either way, these women have shown what’s possible, and they’re just getting started.
