Two SSBC eights training on the Cam on a summer evening

Sidney Sussex College, Cambridge

Sidney Sussex
Boat Club

Sidney's largest and oldest society. Rowers and coxes of all abilities, most of whom had never been in a boat before, and no membership fee.

Learn to row About the club

Start from scratch

Michaelmas term is for novices: most have never stepped into a boat before, and are taught to row or cox from the very first stroke.

Novice rowing →

Race on the Cam

Novices race Queens' Ergs, Emma Sprints and the Fairbairn Cup. Senior crews race the Lent and May Bumps, plus off-Cam events like the Head of the River Race on the Thames.

Racing →

Off the water

Crew dinners, swaps with other boat clubs, a Boat Club Dinner in hall every term and a garden party to end the year.

See us on Instagram →

SSBC members in black tie and boat club blazers in Sidney's dining hall, with the club flag

May Bumps 2026

Best club on the Cam

In May Bumps 2026 Sidney was the best-performing boat club on the river, moving up a total of 14 places in the starting order and winning the Pegasus Cup.

SSBC brings together students from all years and all backgrounds to form a fantastic community, on the river and off it.

About the club