Selection and training of the 1st VIII got off to a good start at the beginning of the Lent Term. Fitness training was tackled straight away during trials, and potential crew members were immediately keen to make good impressions. They were more tense than usual, so several early days were spent doing long-distance work which encourages fitness and relaxation at the same time. Outings during this period were trouble-free (with fair weather and all oarsmen available for training), so a crew was selected in just over two weeks. The remainder of the term was over-filled with troubles of various kinds. A nasty 'flu hit the 1st VIII far more seriously than any other crew, and it was off the water continuously for nearly three weeks; valuable distance work was lost (and the effects of this loss were to be apparent to the end of the season), and two of the four customary races of the term were abandoned. The effect on morale was depressing; although some outings were positive and encouraging, there were others during which the crew struggled in vain to achieve the form that would have come more naturally with a regular training diet.

The next outing was to be in France, where we hoped to forget about the troubles of a dreadful Lent Term. Recent generous funding of the Bluefriars funds by OMs and others has made the cost of foreign and other trips more bearable, so the decision was made to take 1st, 2nd and Colts VIIIs if they wanted to go. The 2nd VIII could not go, so we took just two.

The Summer Term turned out to be more productive than the Lent. Outings took place on a more regular basis, and progress was good. The boat went beautifully on some outings, and the 500m record was broken early in the term. The crew made great efforts to learn, and listened well not only to the regular coach but also to WOH, who rook over for two weeks just before hall term, concentrating on watermanship. It was (luring this time that what might have been a record-breaking attempt at the mile had to be stopped because a member of the crew was developing knee trouble. This persisted until the end of the season, causing a few outings to be lost and others to be taken lightly.

Much of the satisfaction of the 1988 season came from good racing and enjoyable training rather than the victories which were too easy to be of lasting interest. The crew started as a motley bunch and developed into a disciplined and purposeful unit which was capable of rowing to a very high standard.