Oxford college rowers prepare to cross the English Channel

The challenge is part of a £1 million fundraising effort to secure the future of rowing at the Oxford college.

A total of 48 alumni, along with current students and staff, will make the journey as part of a challenge to endow Oriel’s boat club during the college’s 700th anniversary year.

Lord Mendoza, provost of Oriel College, said: “The scale of participation in the alumni Channel row to mark our 700th anniversary year is staggering.

“It demonstrates the lasting bonds students form on the water as well as a love for their college.”

The fundraising effort aims to keep rowing free for all students and fund a permanent coach.

Crossings will take place over four weekends in April and May, with crews rowing the 35-mile stretch between Ramsgate and Dunkirk in six Cornish pilot gigs – oar boats built to withstand sea conditions.

A seventh boat, crewed entirely by students, will take a different route through the Solent, north of the Isle of Wight.

Alumni from the past seven decades will take part, with the oldest rower aged 75.

One of the boats will be crewed by an all-women team.

Adam Frost, a member of the organising team and a Channel rower, said: “Celebrating Oriel College’s 700th anniversary is inspiring.

“Rowing the Channel is a challenge — apparently, fewer people have completed it than have climbed Mount Everest.

“Personally though, the greatest joy of planning the Oriel Channel Row is seeing the camaraderie — across the generations, men and women, current students and alumni — all sharing a deep appreciation of Oriel and love of rowing.”

Among those taking part is Roz Lawson, who said: “I never expected to row, but at Oriel in 1987 almost every person in my year gave it a go.

“I’m so pleased to hear that the endowment would maintain Oriel’s commitment to free rowing for all students – I would never have started rowing if I’d had to pay a membership fee.”

She added: “I’m excited (and a little scared) for the Oriel Channel Row!”

Tim Shepheard-Walwyn, another rower, said: “Taking part in the Oriel Channel Row was a challenge I really could not pass up.

“As a former complete novice who learned to row as a student, I can vouch for the life-changing experience that is available to anyone who takes up rowing at Oriel.”

Oriel College, founded in 1326 by King Edward II, is the fifth-oldest surviving college at Oxford University.

It is home to around 320 undergraduates and 230 postgraduates.

Donations to support the boat club endowment can be made through the college’s official fundraising page.