University rowing (UK)

University rowing in the United Kingdom began when it was introduced to Oxford in the late 18th century. The first known university boat race took place at Oxford in 1815 between Brasenose and Jesus and the first race between Oxford and Cambridge was rowed on 10 June 1829. Today, many universities have a boat club and at some collegiate universities—Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and London—each college has its own club as well as a main university club. In Scotland, the rowing clubs of Glasgow University and Edinburgh University initiated an annual race in 1877, making this competition the second oldest in the United Kingdom. Competitive university rowing in Northern Ireland began in the 1940s with the Wylie Cup; the Welsh Boat Race began in 2006.

Most universities compete in the British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) Championships with a number of events over the year. For non-indoor events, boats are separated into Championship (where "BUCS points" are available), Intermediate and Beginner (for students in their first year of the sport).

On 16 June 2008, UCS (who represented the professional staff working in the sector) and BUSA (the lead body for competitive sport in the sector) merged to form "BUCS" – British Universities & Colleges Sport. Events from 2008/09 onwards therefore come under the BUCS banner, rather than BUSA, e.g., BUCS Regatta.

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