The university opened to students in October 1964. A group of students from the university began the task of assembling the necessary equipment for the foundation of a University Boat Club which could stand independent of the local club, Lancaster John O' Gaunt Rowing Club. Due to the limited available assistance of the university and the students' union, the group decided to seek outside help to get the club moving. This help came in the form of a wealthy benefactor, Sir Harold Parkinson, who provided the club with the funds to purchase its first boats and a coaching launch. John O' Gaunt Rowing Club offered their facilities as a temporary home for the newly formed University Boat Club and from 1964 to 1966 both clubs cohabited. After two years of sharing John O’Gaunt's boathouse, the club moved to its current location, the old Halton railway station. This acquisition was entirely down to Parkinson again; after the station had been closed to the public in 1966, he rented the building on behalf of the club. It was converted into suitable quarters to operate from. The location of this building proved ideal as it is located less than 100 m from the river, and the first 4 miles of the old railway form the Lancaster – Caton Cycleway, an illuminated cycle path leading into Lancaster city centre, along which members can cycle. In 1982 the free-hold of the boathouse and the surrounding land was secured to be administered by the university as a part of the university's estates. From 1996, the club allowed Lancaster University Canoe Club to use the premises to store their boats. In December 2015 the effects of Storm Desmond caused the River Lune to flood much of the City of Lancaster and surrounding area, with the University's Boat House being flooded by several feet of water causing damage to much of the fleet of boats, and resulting in a severe disruption to the clubs rowing calendar.
Location
Boat house
The Lancaster University Boat House takes the form of the disused Halton Railway Station on Denny Beck Lane, a mile North of Lancaster. Closed in 1966 to passengers, the old platform is now used for ergometer workouts, and the station building itself houses the changing rooms and racking. Racking exists for up to ten rigged larger boats. There is also racking for the club's small boat fleet. Plans did exist in the late 20th century for a shared boathouse with the other clubs using the river, John O' Gaunt RC and Lancaster Royal Grammar School BC.
River
The stretch of river used by LUBC is around 3 km, and is situated between the Halton road bridge, situated 100 m west of the weir funded by Sir Harold Parkinson, and the Skerton Weir adjacent to John O' Gaunt RC, which marks the upper extent of the tidal Lune. The river passes below the Grade I listed 18th-century Lune Aqueduct. The Lancaster City Regatta takes place upon this stretch of the Lune, as do the regular Red Rose head races and sprints, organised by Lancaster Rowing Development Group.
The club was the founding club of the Roses Varsity race with The University of York Boat Club. This originated in 1965 when the Vice-Chancellor of York suggested a boat race between the two institutions. This varsity race developed into the Roses Competition, which sees scores of York and Lancaster athletes compete across a wide range of sports, alternating the venue between the universities annually. In 2009 the Victor Ludorum of the competition was York, taking 12 points of a possible 20 in the rowing events. In 2010 York failed to field a squad for the rowing, causing some controversy. The Francis Russell Trophy is also fought for each year between Lancaster John O' Gaunt RC and Lancaster University BC. This originated in 1989 when club captain Francis Russell lost his life after going over Skerton Weir in a November training session. The trophy takes the form of a mounted rudder, that of the boat that went over the weir.
Equipment
Lancaster's fleet is composed mainly of eights and fours.
