4 December 2025

By Göran R Buckhorn

Good news comes from Oxford that HTBS’s William O’Chee has been named the author of Oxford University Boat Club’s official history.

Although there have been a number of histories of the Boat Race and rowing at Oxford colleges, there has never been an official history of Oxford University Boat Club (OUBC). At the OUBC AGM last month, it was announced that HTBS columnist, William O’Chee, has been named to write the first such official history.

William coxed the 1987 Oxford Lightweight Blue Boat, and he has previously written the history of Brasenose College Boat Club.

“OUBC is much more than the Boat Race, although we are all very much focused on racing and beating Cambridge,” William tells HTBS. “This book will be about the people who have made up OUBC, and the other University clubs – OUWBC, OULRC and OUWLRC – that are now amalgamated as one.  There are some incredible stories to tell, and it is a great privilege to be in a position to do this.”

William continues: “Most importantly, I want to share the pride and the sacrifice intrinsic for rowing for the world’s greatest and most storied university rowing club.”

The plan is that the book will be on bookshop shelves by Christmas 2028 in the lead up to the 2029 Boat Race.

William tells HTBS that he is hoping to be in touch with men and women who have rowed for Oxford in a Boat Race, at Henley, or in a development squad. He can be reached by email at darkbluehistory – at – gmail – dot – com

William promises HTBS to bring updates on this project in the coming weeks and months.

HTBS wishes the best of luck to William in his new endeavour.