Results and reports by Event

Given that most people are persuaded into exam term rowing by the promise of sunshine and unisuit tan lines, the day of the GoR was disappointingly grey and rainy, and marshalling was cold. Armed with black and yellow face paint stripes and race glitter (don’t knock it till you’ve tried it!), once we had discussed our race plan – go fast, go faster out of the corners, reset on the reach, and go faster until the end – lamented the lack of race cake and critiqued Cauis W3’s mermaid leggings, there was nothing to do but sit and wait for the call to push off. Once this came, there was a speedy crew dekit and we tapped it up to the line, anticipation levels high. W3 have also done away with the eleven-stroke start in favour of just three, and these got us off to a great beginning, pushing out under the railway bridge and settling into a solid rate 32. We built out of First Post and pushed for Grassy, where the aforementioned mermaid-leggings-wearing Cauis crew came into sight just as the pain began to set in. Some ‘LEGS’ calls and an impeccably-timed ‘up one down one’ from Alex brought the power back under control for a strong push down Plough Reach, and we rounded Ditton. Our reset worked like magic, the rate rose and the reach slid past; almost before we knew it we were building to the bridge, Alex motivating us with claims that were this bumps, we would be hearing whistles for our ever-decreasing length on Cauis. As we raced to the bridge, amazing motivation from Katie took the rate up even further for a final sprint to the finish, and we were done, and then we were holding it up in order not to actually bump the crew in front….

Thanks to Alex’s wonderful coxing and Chrysa’s bankpartying we seemed to actually manage to stick to our race plan! Bring on Bumps!!

Uploaded Saturday 4th June, 11:35

After a term’s worth of early mornings and actual ergs, M4 were finally ready to face their first (and potentially last) major test of Easter term in the form of the Getting on Race. A hectic exam schedule all round meant that preparations in the week leading up to the race were filled with various subs, but in the final outing beforehand the crew were looking in good shape. A blustery June afternoon greeted us on the day, and as we lined up with the competition waiting to head off there was a good opportunity to suss out the opposition. After watching a couple of boats nearly crash because of people waving, it wasn’t looking too bad.

With Fred’s eternal words ringing in our ears (something about rowing and dogs), the race swiftly began. Building up to full pace, we hit the motorway bridge and flew out down the course. A rejuvenated Lord Ashby and focussed mindset meant that we soon hit the first corner, and each of Lydia’s calls was met almost with relish by those they targeted. The crews behind were left firmly in the dust (perhaps helped slightly by a dingy pulling out behind us). Pulling past the Plough everything still felt solid, pain beginning to kick in but technique showing through. As we entered the reach, each man and woman remembered the end to Lent – for some, missing out in this race only three months before; for others, the spoons are still there as a memento.

Legs dying and hearts thumping, not one person let up until the final call under the railway bridge. An exhausted team showed a job well done, and we headed back feeling like we had done ourselves justice. The race results came in later that night – we had made it on! Some met this with more shots, others with yet more revision. Bumps is what everyone rows for, and we’re going to give it our all.

We came. We saw. Now, we conquer.

Uploaded Monday 6th June, 20:32

Report by Amaru Araya-Willams:

Got on! Start 15th in Div 5 (chasing Robinson III, chased by Jesus V).

Different boat, different oars, two supersubs and a different cox (thank you all), we were feeling like a well-prepared and organised crew, and like the unstoppable Kraken of ancient folklore. Having taken the row down to the locks as a further (much needed) training session, the quality of the row elicited from Fred something along the lines of, “To be honest, I wasn’t too confident of you guys getting on, but after that row down to the start I might be tempted to put £1 on you.” Buoyed by this motivational gem, we were ready.

We gave ourselves plenty of space at the start for a typical Kraken-like start (i.e. slow and steady), but that we hit the motorway bridge at full speed. We were catching the Maggie crew ahead and leaving the chasing crew behind. We got a bit ragged around the first corners but sorted ourselves out by The Plough, losing only a little distance to the chasing crew but still catching Maggie.

We pulled into Long Reach and reset, ready for the final burst down to the railway bridge, and with the crew ahead firmly in the Kraken’s sights. About halfway down Long Reach, Tai, having felt too constrained by the bondage of a gate, broke free. With stern pair out, bow 6 valiantly kept the pressure on for 20-ish strokes while Tai regretted his decision and tried to get back into his gate. Once sorted, and having had a 30 second or so breather, BSJ was able to bring the rate up for a blisteringly-strong finish, sealing the grim fate of the other boats in Division 5 as we got on.

To those other boats: Fear the Kraken, for once up to speed, the Kraken is unstoppable.

Uploaded Friday 10th June, 22:50

Considering two months ago, we questioned the sanity of ‘those boaties’ who got up at stupid o’clock to knacker themselves out before 9ams, we jumped at the chance to showcase our new passion for paddling, even in our state of delirium, post exam week. With a total of twelve outings under our blades and having only previously managed three strokes at race pace, we had low expectations. Our overly optimistic coxes and coaches, on the other hand, with their faultless encouragement, never let our enthusiasm drop.

When it came to the big day, the weather was not quite what we were used to being Easter term novices. However, we persevered in our attempt for a crabless race (a seemingly impossible task considering our love for seafood buffets).

The first challenge of the day was parking. Our unorthodox technique attracted some questions from more experienced boats, eg ‘are you guys trying to get into bumps?’ Cheers Magdalene, perhaps we were just too distracted by the elusive locks. After a quick motivational pep talk, energy boost and emergency field wee (not looking at anyone in particular *cough* Elly *cough*), the time had come for us to adopt our ‘stern’ faces, and show the cam what we were made of: not enough muscle and too many hormones. Three. Two. One. We were off.

It was all over rather quickly. If we’re honest, much quicker than we expected. Yes, it was a tough 9 minutes and 26 seconds – BUT IT WAS ONLY 9 MINUTES AND 26 SECONDS! That was 9 minutes and 26 seconds of confusion, wavering technique and splashing. But hey, no crabs! Somehow, we managed to keep the boat sat (and ourselves sat in the boat) and crossed the finishing line without realising.

After recovering from the 9 minutes and 26 seconds of intense rowing (did I mention that we did it in 9 minutes and 26 seconds?), we had a lovely team bonding experience of cox swapping, Bohemian rhapsody-ing, and canadian rowing. We’re sure this made us look particularly fetching and professional as we passed the on-looking men’s crews (*wink wink*).

Despite not making it into bumps, we are so proud of our 9 minutes and 26 seconds. This was made possible by our incredible coaches and coxes. We ‘bow’ down to you!

written by Helen Llambias-Maw

Uploaded Saturday 4th June, 19:15