Founded in 1902, the Boat Club was formed when Reading University was still the University Extension College of Oxford, becoming Reading University Boat Club in 1926 when the University recieved its Royal Charter. Since then clubs history has been broad and successful. The club always has been, and continues to be the most successful club the University of Reading has ever had, due to the effort of the clubs members and coaching staff.

This website aims to provide a glimpse of life at RUBC. Competing for and winning medals at the British University Sports Association (BUSA) championship regatta, ranks highly within our main objectives. RUBC have been within the top British rowing universities in the United Kingdom at the BUSA championships in recent years finishing 4th in 2001, 2003, 2006, and second in 2005 and 2007. However putting out strong crews for Henley Royal Regatta has always been the main focus and most prestigious goal for the club and our members.

Today, more than has ever been the case before, RUBC seek to compete at the highest levels on a year-round basis. The club has becoming a recognised centre of rowing and sculling excellence, due to the coaching, facilities and external links. A large number of athletes, past and present, participate at national and world championship level. Partnership with the World Class Start scheme attracts many top level athletes to Reading, whilst the 'standard' senior squads for both men and women also perform very strongly. Athletes from the club have represented the Great Britain Under 23, and Senior squads, and many members have gone onto achieve success at European, World and Olympic Level

RUBC differs from most other universities as a strong emphasis is put on sculling. RUBC have won numerous sculling medals at BUSA over recent years and have performed well in the quads at the Fours Head, coming 4th overall in 2006 and winning Women's S2 Quads, and Coming 3rd overall in 2007. The club also specialise in lightweight rowing and sculling events, however the focus for the senior squad from 2007 has been on producing quick eights for Henley. 2007 saw RUBC just miss out on seeding for the Temple Challenge Cup at Henley, and subsequently meeting the winners on Thursday, but this years seniors are aiming to be right up there with the top standard of entries.

Below is a streaming video of RUBC which was used to attract members at freshers fayre, which should give a good idea of what the club is about.

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To sum up the ethos of RUBC; we are an ever-expanding club with up to 100 new members each year. We cater for all levels of athletes, from absolute beginners to international senior oarsmen. Whatever standard you aspire too, we hope that with us you will achieve and exceed your goals, and enjoy your time at RUBC.We hope that you enjoy the site, and that we can count on your support throughout the year and at our annual Reading University Head of the River Race in March.