The boat race

One tradition that any self-respecting Oxford student would never miss is the 'boat race'. What is this mythical boat race you ask? Particularly considering that the sea is approximately 60 miles away from here! Well, it all becomes clear when you understand the absolute mania for rowing here - which renders all other forms of 'boats' irrelevant!

So, the 'boat race' is the annual race between Oxford and Cambridge along the Thames in London. The calibre of the rowers is insane - lots of Olympians and world champions who are taking a year out from rowing full time to get some qualifications but who are also able to keep up a really high standard of racing. Not only is it a huge deal for the two universities involved, but is also a great day out for people in London because the whole place has this big party atmosphere - even though the whole thing is over in a matter of minutes! Kind of like waiting for the Tour de France to pass by in about 20 seconds after having waited for five hours...

I headed down with some friends from uni and met up with some other London-based friends who managed to brave the crowds and push through to the front where we had been patiently staking out our place for hours. But, the numb behinds from the cold wall were well worth it when we were on the front row with about 12 people deep behind us!

There are two races on the day, the first is between Isis (Oxford 2nds) and Goldie (Cambridge 2nds) which we won by miles. We were sitting at the Hammersmith Bend (at the top of this map, in front of the Dove and Old Ship pubs) which meant we had a great view of the two boats coming around the corner and then heading towards the finish. Isis were leading the whole time in their race, but in the firsts race between the Oxford 'Dark Blues' and the Cambridge 'Light Blues' it was much more neck and neck as they came around the bend. But, then apparently they clashed blades and Oxford pulled away, eventually winning by three boat lengths in a stylish time of 17 minutes flat! Go Oxford!!!!




If you're keen to watch it next year, keep the afternoon of the 3rd of April 2010 free! Lots of photos here.