The Boat Race

Kevin here.  One thing I was particularly excited about when planning our trip to London was realizing that we would be here over the Easter holidays.  And that the Easter holidays would include the 158th edition of the Oxford-Cambridge rowing race.  Or... as they call it:  "The Boat Race."

Now, it's not like I'm a great fan of rowing.  But still. This is a grand tradition between two of the oldest universities in the world.  I like tradition.  So... off we went!

First, a couple of tube rides to get to Putney Bridge on the River Thames.  Putney Bridge is where the race -- 4 miles or so long -- begins (and also where we ventured to to see Fulham play at Craven Cottage).

Then we find a place near the starting line at the bridge.  Now The Boat Race is a big event in London.  Some 250,000 people line the river to watch.  Parties, hanging out in pubs, etc.  Lots of people. We even saw the Goodyear Blimp high overhead (which the kids thought was cool that it came all the way from America. :-) )

Everyone is ready at the starting line.

It was cold.  But my wife remained chipper, as always!

Oxford and Cambridge both line up:



And they're off!

Oxford takes the lead early.

It's pretty cool stuff.  At least for about the first 45 seconds.  Then, like any distance race that you are watching in person... well, they keep on going way past you off into the distance where you can no longer see what's happening.   Pretty anti-climatic.

A flotilla of judges and VIPs follows after the racing boats.

Nevertheless, the kids were great sports about being out in the cold and watching two boats from schools they don't care about race in a sport that have no interest in.  I teased them that perhaps one day they'll be back here on the banks of the Thames to root on their alma mater!


By the way:  Cambridge won in a bizarre finish that included a protester jumping into the Thames to disrupt the race and Oxford breaking an ore.  If you're interested:  read the results.

Ok.. here is about 40 seconds of video I shot.  It's not edited or anything, but might give you an idea of what it's like to be there at the start of this big event!