Giving to King's College Boat Club
For over 180 years KCBC has been at the heart of King’s sport. We have encouraged complete novices to give rowing a try and supported talented rowers to go on to even greater things. In recent years both the Men’s and Women’s boats have had great success in Bumps racing, and many more King’s students have discovered the joys, challenges and camaraderie of being on the river.
‘Rowing at King’s has been the highlight of my time here. KCBC has become a second family for me, and has always been a place where I can escape from the stress of Cambridge life.’
Clem Semler-West, Women’s Captain 2026
King’s is committed to supporting a growing range of student clubs and societies.
Previously the Boat Club has received generous subsidy from the College but with growing pressures on College finances, and to allow equality of funding for as many extracurricular activities across King’s as possible, this is being cut back. In addition a substantial earlier donation from an alumnus to cover many of the Club’s regular costs has now run out.
To ensure KCBC’s future and help build on our successes we are now aiming to raise £300,000 to create a permanent endowment for the Boat Club.
‘This year I’ll have been involved in KCBC for two decades, having started as a cox, and shortly after as a rower, in 2006. During my time as a student I didn’t realise how important the skills I learned and the connections I forged would be. KCBC is a global community of individuals, brought together by memories of rainy, cold Lent term outings, hours on the ergs and the highs and lows of Bumps racing, and many of my closest friends from Cambridge who I still see regularly are the ones I met in the Boat Club, who studied different subjects and went in different directions to me after graduating.’
Sarah Williams (KC 2006), Women’s Captain 2009
Annual income from this fund will cover essential running costs - including race entry fees, trailer hire and transport, some coaching provision, upkeep of the Boat House and alumni engagement events - and mean that KCBC can exist and reduce the Club’s reliance on income from the College.
‘I am hoping that the wider Boat Club community can join us in helping to reach this target. I have been greatly impressed by the enthusiasm shown by so many of our students and morale is high! Your gift will help us thrive for many years to come, and above all ensure that the incredible experience of rowing or coxing for King’s can be open to everyone.’
Professor Michael Proctor, Senior Treasurer King’s College Boat Club