The main races you will enter through QCBC are:

Isis Winter League

Not really a league at all, but a series of races held throughout the year where college crew compete over a stretch of river on the Isis to achieve the best time

Christ Church Regatta

A novice only race held at the end of Michaelmas, rain-gods permitting, run side by side, mostly for the amusement of the spectators. Silly T-shirts are mandatory, as is a sense of deep purpose, the knowledge that nothing ever has been more important and a trip to the pub as soon as the boat is put away

Torpids

See the Wikipedia page for all the charts, etc, but this is the first Bumps race of the year. 13 boats line up and attempt to hit each other. Many rules and nuances govern the race, but the principle is run away and hit the guy in front, preferably causing damage to their boat/pride in process. Notably different to Summer Eights in two ways, 1) No Blues to make the 1st division boring/exciting 2) When you lose, you really lose, as you have to row the course until you hit someone, and cannot stop if hit

Eights

The culmination of a years work for many. Again, another Bumps race, however both crews stop after a Bump. The highlight of the Oxford summer calendar for rowers and non-rowers alike, with 15,000 spectators on the final day

Wallingford Regatta

A 20 minute race against the clock in the freezing cold to separate the men from the boys and to really put the nail into Michaelmas

Abingdon Regatta

A roughly 2K course against the clock in the pouring rain to judge other colleges preceding Torpids

Shrewsbury Regatta

A 2K course in the blistering sun where schoolboys of 15 make the First Eight cry by beating them soundly. Camping in the grounds is usually preceded by a night out at the ‘club’ with everyone else at the regatta.