Oxford Sailing

I was fascinated by the annual Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge University as long as I can remember. I have not attended one of these two major British universities, nor do I have a passionate enthusiasm for rowing but this traditional race of the two boats over exactly 4 miles and 374 yards still holds a fascination me. I am not alone, as the TV event is broadcast, the Thames River history, hundreds of countries and has an audience of millions. The idea of the boat race between these paragons of academia was designed by two students, both named Charles, curiously. Charles Merivale was at Cambridge University and Charles Wordsworth was in Oxford.

Cambridge has issued his challenge to Oxford on 12 March 1829. Since then, he has been a tradition for the loser of the race a year to the challenge of the other boat to revenge the following year.

Over thousands June 1829, 10 enthusiastic people descended on the small town of Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. They were there to attend the first stage over the boat race between Oxford and Cambridge rowing teams better. In an embarrassing turn of events the race had to be stopped shortly after the two vessels began to be rowed. It was restarted and Oxford was the winner of the first boat race against Cambridge.

One thing I did not realize the boat race until recently was that members of both crews receive no exemption in respect of their studies to go. If they can not take their academic commitments, the student must resign from his boat team of the year.

The Boat Race is a Sunday in March or April and the main event is preceded by a competition between Isis and Goldie. These vessels provided for Oxford and Cambridge, in that order. About half an hour later, the Blue Boat, the first teams of each university is known, takes place. Cambridge is light blue and dark blue Oxford.