Amstelbeker 2025

Looking back at the start of our 2025 season, we thought it’d be good to time recap on Amstelbeker Regatta, where we took one men’s and one women’s eight to race in Amsterdam. We had a very successful preseason and loved being joined by new faces. Amstelbeker was a great opportunity to test our speed early in the season.

W8+ Photo: @Robert_Rowing_Photos

Written by Chloe Anderson: I joined ICBC’s senior women’s team in September before I started my master's at Imperial. Having just moved to the UK from the US, the team was a great way to meet people and become engaged in the community here. I felt incredibly fortunate to be able to join so soon after reaching out and just in time for preseason. After joining, there was continuously just one amazing opportunity after another. There was the opportunity to be a part of a team, to row on the Thames, to make friends, and to do some international racing at Amstelbeker at the end of preseason. Three weeks after moving to the country, I found myself on a train to Amsterdam. The racing itself was very competitive but very fun. We sprinted through the Dutch canals in the 750-meter knock-out tournament. The women’s team made it through two good races before going on to cheer on the continuing boys' team. After racing, we joined the competing crews for a lively afterparty, then explored Amsterdam the next day before setting off back home. All in all, a great way to end the preseason and create irreplaceable memories as a team.

M8+ Photo: @danielkorvemaker

Amstelbeker—what a way to kick things off. We’ll definitely be back. It’s fantastic to have opportunities to race abroad, and we’re incredibly grateful to the event organisers for the invitation, as well as to our donors, Imperial College Union, and Imperial Athletes for making the trip possible.