Boat Race

[captaincloser]

They wouldn't want those nasty emmets joining in would they!

I have to say they looked pretty terrifying when I saw them..talk about commitment ! Thought it a good idea to keep my trap shut that day.

They were very impressive, but elitst of course.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Gigs were originally work boats and, I believe, used as early rescue boats (precursors to modern lifeboats).

 

[Cornish Steve]

The sea, of course, dominates the life of Cornwall. In a previous era, if a ship foundered on rocks, the men of the local village would get together a rescue party. They'd use a hydraulic 'rocket' to fire a small rope across the bow of the ship and use that to send across a thick rope. One by one, the crew of the ship would come to shore in a breeches buoy. If someone fell into the sea, one of the locals would go in after them. (At one point, this was my great-grandfather's role in his village.)

They used breeches buoys until quite recently, and there's a shot of such a rescue in this newsreel from the fifties.

 

[captaincloser]

Thanks for the detail Steve but elitiste as far as racing cincerned ?

Yes or No will do ?

 

[Consistency]

The sea, of course, dominates the life of Cornwall

I thought it was pasties.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Strict, yes. They examine the boats in great detail to ensure they meet specifications. Elitist, no. Anyone can participate in gig racing.

 

[Steve Sellers]

Strict, yes. They examine the boats in great detail to ensure they meet specifications. Elitist, no. Anyone can participate in gig racing.

Anyone can? How's your typical disenfranchised inner city youth going to get involved?

 

[Cornish Steve]

I can tell you that some of the groups that participate in gig racing are far from privileged. They take it very seriously, and it's a lot of work.

There are plenty of "inner city youth" represented at these forums, people who've decided not to claim victim status and who've made a success of things. Yes, it's tougher for some to succeed than others, but I suggest we do an injustice when we write off "inner city youth" or the working classes in general by suggesting they cannot succeed in activities like this.

 

[Gillie]

Having read this article earlier - it would suggest Steve, that you are as outdated in your elitest views on the boat race as others still living in the last century .....

 

[Cornish Steve]

It's still a fact that about 40 percent of undergrads at Oxbridge universities come not from government schools but from privileged schools. (I'm a big believer in private schools in general, but we're talking here about schools that really are for the privileged.) Yes, British universities are following in the footsteps of American universities and recruiting top athletes, and that's a good thing, but cried of elitism are not going to die down until the boat race is open to all universities. It's a string of small decisions like that that slowly overcomes the baggage of history.

 

[captaincloser]

It's still a fact that about 40 percent of undergrads at Oxbridge universities come not from government schools but from privileged schools. (I'm a big believer in private schools in general, but we're talking here about schools that really are for the privileged.) Yes, British universities are following in the footsteps of American universities and recruiting top athletes, and that's a good thing, but cried of elitism are not going to die down until the boat race is open to all universities. It's a string of small decisions like that that slowly overcomes the baggage of history.

This is nonsense rivalled only by your assertion in this thread that Cornwall is some home to a cerain 'Cornish' breed of Celt when in fact you all descend from English celts.

Get an education on University rowing competition and rowing in general in the UK then come back and try again. Love to know how you would make the historic Oxford V Cambridge Boat race open to all universities .

Nonsense, and at the very least be big enough to read the article mentioned in Gillies post above and come back on here and make amends...that article is also in the GUARDIAN of all papers.

 

[Esk247]

but cries of elitism are not going to die down until the boat race is open to all universities. It's a string of small decisions like that that slowly overcomes the baggage of history.

Yeah but then it's not THE boat race is it, it's just A boat race.

You only watch it BECAUSE of the baggage of history just like people watch the Queens Speech or stand outside Buckingham Palace in the rain to see the changing of the Guard etc.

History Lesson
The Boat Race is an annual contest between two rowing crews from Oxford and Cambridge universities.
The Race takes place close to Easter each year on the River Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake.
The first race took place in 1829 in Henley on Thames following a challenge between old school friends. Since the second race in 1836 the contest has taken place in London. from http://theboatrace.org/the-basics/

See so if you make it open to other Universities then it isn't The Boat Race any more is it...at all..it's just a rowing regatta. The Boat Race is THE Boat Race between Oxford and Cambridge, that is the point, that is why it is THE Boat Race Simples.

 

[Consistency]

Cornish Ice Cream is not necessarily from Cornwall you know.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Get an education on University rowing competition and rowing in general in the UK then come back and try again. Love to know how you would make the historic Oxford V Cambridge Boat race open to all universities.

I don't understand the problem. Have regional races on other rivers. Hold the final on the Thames. It's no different that holding the FA Cup final at Wembley.

If people like to see the same two teams row against each other every year, that's just fine. Personally, if I was forced to watch Man U play Man C every year in the FA Cup final, with no previous rounds, I'd just turn off. What would it prove - other than the power of tradition?

 

[Esk247]

I don't understand the problem. Have regional races on other rivers. Hold the final on the Thames. It's no different that holding the FA Cup final at Wembley.

If people like to see the same two teams row against each other every year, that's just fine. Personally, if I was forced to watch Man U play Man C every year in the FA Cup final, with no previous rounds, I'd just turn off. What would it prove - other than the power of tradition?

Federer v Nadal? Are you getting bored with that one yet

You're becoming far too Americanised..sorry..Americanized. It's tradition, it's Oxford v Cambridge. We don't want to see Sheffield Hallam rowing up the river in their steel boat..it just isn't the same is it.

I don't understand your side of the discussion because there are already rowing races up and down the country that do what you're suggesting..there are also rowing regattas, so why change this competition in to one of those that already take place?

You don't watch The Boat Race because it is a rowing competition, you watch it because it goes back over 100 years and always features the same teams, which one will win it next year? who has won it more? which boat is heavier? which more experienced? which nationalities are taking part?

 

[Cornish Steve]

Given your signature's reference to rowing, I assumed you were a member of either the Oxford or Cambridge crew.

 

[Gillie]

I don't understand the problem. Have regional races on other rivers. Hold the final on the Thames. It's no different that holding the FA Cup final at Wembley.

If people like to see the same two teams row against each other every year, that's just fine. Personally, if I was forced to watch Man U play Man C every year in the FA Cup final, with no previous rounds, I'd just turn off. What would it prove - other than the power of tradition?

When Man U versus Man City is set up as an annual event that will run for hundreds of years then yes we might have to watch it, but as it aint, thanks goodness we don't!

You are totally missing the point Steve re The Boat Race - it carries no prize money as such - they merely race each other for the honour that it carries to get a blue and say you were in a winning team - they race so that their Uni can be said to be the best that year in rowing - simple!

As regards other Uni's .... have you seen what has happened to our education system in the last few years? To hold regional etc would take over a year, with the number of places now being called Universities - we have small towns that once had the old Technical Colleges now called Uni's!

So taking this a step further then - do we then become elitist by only letting Uni's over a certain age compete? Or can any of the 300 listed according to UCAS enter?

 

[Gillie]

...that article is also in the GUARDIAN of all papers.

Sorry .... I know - the Guardian!!

 

[mobyme]

Every year we play one of our competitors at cricket, it's become a tradition that the whole village comes to watch and none of us can play cricket for toffee (although I am sure they played a couple of ringers last year).
Are you suggesting this should be opened up to all comers Steve because if it was neither of the original teams would get a look in.

 

[captaincloser]

Steve, you had ample opportunity to withdraw with a shred of goodwill earlier but chose not to.

Now read this http://www.horr.co.uk/2012/entry.html Its all about the head of the river race which itself is an institution and covers everything you ask for teams of 8 on the River in March.There are 400 teams enetered each year,,,but it is not the Oxford and Cambridge Boat race...Can you read it from start to finish and please come back with a well rehearsed act of contrition ?#

You are so wrong its embarrassing.

 

[Cornish Steve]

Steve, you had ample opportunity to withdraw with a shred of goodwill earlier but chose not to.

As I wrote a short while ago, if a sufficient number of people want to watch the same two universities row against each other year after year after year after year after....then they have every right to do so. Some may view it as an elitist event between elitist universities, while others may find the tradition really exciting. For me, I'd much prefer to watch something a bit more meaningful; plus, there are elements of our history that we could do with putting behind us.

Now read this http://www.horr.co.uk/2012/entry.html Its all about the head of the river race which itself is an institution and covers everything you ask for teams of 8 on the River in March.

And it specifically discriminates against women. Now you've raised another can of worms. Why include a rule that states specifically that women may not row?

 

[Cornish Steve]

So taking this a step further then - do we then become elitist by only letting Uni's over a certain age compete? Or can any of the 300 listed according to UCAS enter?

How does it work for other sports? Not every university has a team in every sport. They tend to specialize. I doubt that more than about 20 universities would participate.

 

[Esk247]

As I wrote a short while ago, if a sufficient number of people want to watch the same two universities row against each other year after year after year after year after....then they have every right to do so. Some may view it as an elitist event between elitist universities, while others may find the tradition really exciting. For me, I'd much prefer to watch something a bit more meaningful; plus, there are elements of our history that we could do with putting behind us.

I find golf really boring...can we chuck that in too, like The Masters? That's so boring, have you ever tried watching it without wanting to jump off a cliff to make life more exciting.

Something more meaningful? oh oh American Football, my god that is as boring as watching paint dry and flake off the walls. One and two and..time out..everyone stop for an infomercial from our sponsors

Is Lincoln Cathedral boring do you think? sitting there, doing nothing, year after year after year, the same old bricks. Lets tarmac it!

 

[captaincloser]

For me, I'd much prefer to watch something a bit more meaningful; plus, there are elements of our history that we could do with putting behind us.

So watch something else, I think you'll find only Cornwall was built for you personally. Also with you constantly telling us that Cornwall is another country then the boat race is not part of 'our history that we could do with putting behind us'... it's a part of my history and others proud to be a UK citizen.


And it specifically discriminates against women. Now you've raised another can of worms. Why include a rule that states specifically that women may not row?

I think you should focus on your adopted country more. This is the UK and I am still unsure as to why we have an Atlanta based moderator who does not think his county of birth in the UK is actually in the UK. So why are you not moderating CBF -Cornwall business forums.You are currently living in an adopted country moderating on forums from a third country. I would say it's a conflict of interests and way too much for you to handle

Womens Lib campaigns in the USA almost certainly should also keep you busy surely ? Then there will be the freedom fight for Cornwall for you to possibly run ?


Now the above is a 'CAN OF WORMS' for you to ponder.

 

[Gillie]

Apparently Trenton is feeling hard done to as he only managed to get to the LSE from his private school .... a good reason I suppose to go for a swim in the Thames in the middle of a busy river section !!

 

[captaincloser]

Apparently Trenton is feeling hard done to as he only managed to get to the LSE from his private school .... a good reason I suppose to go for a swim in the Thames in the middle of a busy river section !!

Trenton ? I blame the parents, being named Trenton will not have been the best start in life...

 

[Jeff FV]

Stung by the bitter disappointnment of defeat in controversial circumstances, Oxford University have released footage of their development boat for the 2013 boat race.

Professor Ivor Wingnut, Emeritus Chair of Engineering at Blueblood College Oxford said:

"As a centre of excellence in fluid dynamics, we've been secretly working on new technologies to give us every advantage in the Boat Race, which is the perfect amalgam of sporting endeavour and intellectual achievement. We have been carry out a rigorous testing programme in a secret location in Vietnam and believe that we now have a design that combines robust construction with performance. In fact, we're so confident in our new boat the crew will consist of one oarsman and the cox. So come on Cambridge, come on Trenton, come on Cornish Steve, do your worst, but we're winning the boat race next year."

You can see video footage of Oxford's 2013 Boat Race boat here.

 

[Esk247]

Professor Ivor Wingnut
.[/URL]

Seriously?

 

[Cornish Steve]

You can see video footage of Oxford's 2013 Boat Race boat here.

That is what I call creativity!