An Oarsman's Diary
With Eights only one week away and rumours rife of women's crews containing illegal ex-members, the tension on the water is mounting. Coate Water Park regatta was this weekend's main battleground.
Many colleges braved the weather with Balliol Women gaining victory in the novice category and the ever-excitable Somerville women's 1st VIII winning in the S4 8+. Balliol men convincingly beat St-Johns in the first round of the S3 8+ and lost narrowly to a point-laden Brookes crew in the final, whilst shoddy looking Lincoln lost in the first round of the men's S2+.
To practise bumping, many colleges are challenging other colleges to get some pre-Eights practise. Oriel, as usual, is taking things too far. Not satisfied with successfully racing Teddy Hall they felt that they would also contribute to inter-college warfare by leaving a considerable dent on the stern of Christ Church women's 1st boat - replacing their lack of bumping experience in Eights. Teddy Hall will also be racing Balliol this week after their scrumptious cox (or fox) challenged Balliol's finest.
Looking down the divisions we realise that the rowing-on this week will cause great amusement. So, if exams are getting you down then why not wander down to the Isis on Friday afternoon to watch the Balliol women's second VIII doing their water spider impression - joy.
22nd May 2003