Rowing
| ...The afterlife for good boaties is to relish the pain passing
the finish line at Henley Royal Regatta on a sunny warm summer day, comfortably
leading their opponents, while spectators picnic along the river, eating
strawberries, drinking Pimms, applauding their victory.... |
| ...The afterlife for bad boaties is to heave the boat along in
an endless Bumps race, chased by a boat no closer than a canvas length
behind on a cold rainy day with gales and a coach who can't think of anything
more sensibel to call than: "Faster, faster!".... |
Bumps Racing is to be in the Prime of your Life
The famous race events on the Cam are "The bumps". The rules are
simple. There are about 17 boats in each division and they all 
start
at the same time spaced about 1.5 boat length ahead from each other. The
objective is then to chase the boat in front of you until you hit it and
avoid getting hit by the boat behind you. The picture to the left is from
the University May bumps in 1996. I was in Churchill college 1st VIII and
we were chasing Caius 1st VIII. After a massive sprint we missed hitting
them by a foot and although they slipped away coming out of Plough Reach
I still recall this as one of the best races I've had with that crew.
Henley Royal Regatta
The summer 1996 was the time of my life as I rowed in Churchill
College's 1st VIII that beat Imperial College B in the Temple Challenge
Cup at Henley Royal as you can see
on the left picture. The regatta that takes place every year at Henley-on-Thames
is one of the very english social events happening throughout the year. Read the full story here.
There is far more to rowing than just heaving the boat along and
occasionally getting a few good strokes in....
It's a state of mind!
The ultimate way of rowing is to scull I think. However it is slower
than in an VIII. But because there is no doubt about who is spannering
in the boat you have instant feedback about what makes the boat go faster.
If it goes well and you can feel the rhythm then it's because of you, which
is a most rewarding experience. The downside is when it is crap and there
is no one else to blame. Bumps races with sculls ought to be held one day,
I think!
Go here 
for
my sculling page.
Other rowing resources
start
at the same time spaced about 1.5 boat length ahead from each other. The
objective is then to chase the boat in front of you until you hit it and
avoid getting hit by the boat behind you. The picture to the left is from
the University May bumps in 1996. I was in Churchill college 1st VIII and
we were chasing Caius 1st VIII. After a massive sprint we missed hitting
them by a foot and although they slipped away coming out of Plough Reach
I still recall this as one of the best races I've had with that crew.
