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| Dad, 1954/5, rowing for Emmanuel |
I was so disappointed yesterday when Cambridge lost the University Boat Race. I think it affected me rather more usual as I wasn’t able to share the occasion with my dad, who, as you may know, died last month.
Dad and I both went to Emmanuel College, Cambridge, 30 years apart, so the annual race was always a time for us to become all nostalgic and reminisce about our experiences rowing at Cambridge. Dad, however, was quite a serious rower, so much so that he cracked a couple of ribs in his efforts in one race. He rowed for Emmanuel not just in Cambridge races but in regattas at Henley and on the Putney to Mortlake stretch of the Thames, just as the University crews did yesterday. In his final year he coached an ‘eight’ to victory in the Lent Bumps.
In the photo you can see me rowing at ‘four’ (fourth from the right of the picture). This photo was taken as we were paddling back to the boathouse after one of the Lent races in 1983. I can still remember spotting the official cameraman on the river bank and if you look closely you can see I’m looking at the camera but trying to ignore it and put on an earnest expression. The boat I was rowing for, Emmanuel Ladies II, lacked brawn and we were unceremoniously bumped every day by a succession of crews, ending up at the bottom of the bottom league.
The boat my dad coached in 1957, on the other hand, bumped Clare V, Pembroke V, St Catherine’s IV and Christ’s IV. A complete run of four consecutive bumps like this means that the crew has ‘gained their oars’ so each rower is given an oar, decorated with their names and college crest. The cox of the successful crew is given a souvenir rudder and the coach, my dad on that occasion, is given a shield with a mock-up of the bow attached. Mum gave me the shield after the funeral and it is taking pride of place in my home now. 
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Lovely post – look after that spoon! Used to live in Oxford by the river and still miss the plish plashing of the oars dipping in and out of the water.
Julia – I've decided to get some felt tip pens out and go over the words before they disappear compeletely. Bit of varnish too wouldn't go amiss.
It must have been difficult for you yesterday, without your dad…but you have such lovely memories and I think felt tipping the spoon would be a great idea! Do either of your boys row?
@Libby – Last year Dad and I watched the race together as we were up in Newcastle that weekend. Yesterday I watched it at the inlaws as it was Dougie's birthday. We had champers so the day was better than I'd thought it might be!
Neither Dougie nor Rory row; in fact the last time I was in a boat with Dougie at a park we went round in circles!
Fantastic post – very evocative. I always had a hankering for Oxford or Cambridge but just wasn't clever enough and didn't know enough about 'rollocks'.
Steve – so that's what they're called! No wonder I wasn't any good at it; didn't understand the terminology. I wasn't very strong but apparently had a lovely rhythm…
We, too, were cheering in vain for the light blues… Although our affiliations were/are more musical than muscular it's amazing how the event still has such a draw for the alumni!
@dotterel – it's odd that it still captures the spirit of the Oxford v Cambridge adversity more than any other sport. Glad you were on my side!
It's funny but I care so much less about the Boat Race than I used to. We used to watch religiously as children (not sure why) and then when I went to university (light blue too) obviously it mattered enormously! (did my fair share of messing about in boats too, but also only ever reached the dizzy heights of the second ladies – and never won either blade or wooden spoon. Did meet some lovely young men though…).
Now though, and despite B being a dark blue man, so in theory we could have some sort of family rivalry going on, the whole thing just passes me by. In fact the first time I realised it was happening was your post!
Part of that is because I sort of feel that the purity has gone out of it since the rowers these days are pretty much all 6'8" Kiwis and Ozzies "studying" spuriously purely to be in the boat. The Varsity match feels rather the same… I suspect it was different in your dad's day (and Hugh Laurie's – random fact of the day: he rowed for Cambridge. They lost).
@planb – yes I was in the second ladies team too but only because there wasn't a third!
I do agree with you, the post grads in the boats are now quite ridiculous. A 30 year old bloke rowing for Cambridge I believe was doing a year's management course! Pah!
Both my parents were at Cambridge so we always support that side. Oxford were renowned for years for having lots of chunky post-grads so their team wasn't really in the true spirit of the race and they won with all that extra experience and muscle.
Sarah – you're right, I remember when Oxford started that trend. I have to say this year it was the Cambridge team who had more than their decent share of post-grad muscle. Wouldn't it be great if they changed the rules so it could be purely under-graduates? Unlikely I know as the line has already been crossed so no going back I presume.
What a lovely post – it must have really brought back happy memories but mingled with sadness too.
As you know, I went to Cambridge too – well, you know not Cambridge proper but that doesn't stop me cheering them on every year. I lived in Barnes for about 4 or 5 years and we used to go down to one of the riverside pubs and cheer them on from the bank.
I seem to remember a tale about bumping which I was never sure was true or not – how one of the teams refused to retire when they were bumped and, incensed, one of the rowers took his protective spike off the end of his oar (surely they don't have protective spikes?)and he punctured someone in the chest and that's why they wear red jumpers to this very day to symbolise the blood and the shame. Or something like that. Did you ever hear that?
I never tried rowing – just punting the wrong way up the Cam was about my lot.
What a lovely idea the spoon is.
Alison – I think the tale you refer to is apocryphal but I used to believe it! In the version I was told the cox of the Trinity boat was killed by the bow of the St John's college boat and from then on St John's changed their name to Lady Margaret Boat Club, with red colours. Apparently this never happened: the boat club was always called Lady Margaret because it was the name of the foundress. Great story though!
Nice legs – shame about the boat race…..
Madame SG – I'm glad you got the reference in the title. My husband didn't know what I was talking about. Takes a certain intelligence…
Love the top picture – is that your father? What a movie star handsome guy. What is it about pictures of our parents, they seemed to live a much more elegant life. Also love your pic. Yes I joined our Uni rowing team (as did my friends) just so we could go away on trips and take our turn at the keg. In the end they asked us to resign as we caught so many crabs (rowing term, not the other) that we were forever being disqual. And so marked the sad end to my rowing career…
@About Last Weekend – I hadn't made it clear that the first photo was my dad so have added a caption – and you're right, isn't he gorgeous, so young. He continued to be good looking and slim all his life.
Somewhere I have a very embarrassing photo of me catching a crab (the mind boggles!). Sounds like you would have been a great addition to our crew. Cheers!
My Dad went to Emmanuel too; goes back every now and then for a reunion. How lovely you could follow in your Dad's footsteps. i ended up at Kings, London.
@Kate – I must pop over and ask you about your Dad. He was probably at Emmanuel later than your father but it would be nice to know his name x