Christ's College

The hard at Christ's College Boat House resembled the flight deck of an aircraft carrier in wartime conditions. In the warm autumn sunshine, doubles were being dismantled and re-assembled with scull outriggers to suit visiting alumni's preferences. Smoke from the barbecue drifted across the Tarmac. A machine-gun rat-tat-tat noise drifted across the placid river, from a houseboat undergoing renovation. The plastic tub was having new foot straps fitted.

The college 1st alumni VIII crew were assembling (why is it that Alumni are looking younger these days?). Overhead a IV was being carried by yet another Alumni crew. The crew of a Blades VIII from the 1958 era arrived down the steps, with their supporters. To suit wives and followers, bicycle seats were being kindly adjusted by Charlie Heron and Jack Eyre. Faithful Jack the sheep-dog manoeuvred his large stick hopefully amongst the legs of possible throwers. Scurrying amongst it all, the master boatman, Kat Astley, was greeting everyone, overseeing all projects, solving crises and encouraging with cups of tea. Boats, rowers, blades, bicycles and bacon butties were coming and going in seeming confusion that concealed a carefully planned military campaign. Christ's was putting on more boats than any other college in this year's Alumni Regatta.

The races were held over an 800m course along the Long Reach, finishing just after the Railway Bridge. The chief hazard for racers was provided by the large motor boats and barges that were quite reasonably expecting to be able to motor down Long Reach on a calm sunny Sunday morning.

Christ's Alumni VIII won their first two races, triumphing once again over the King's crew they beat in the final of the University IVs competition several years ago! They were narrowly beaten in the final by a Fitz crew. This was due to a barking handicapping system, as perceived by your boatman, who will always support Christ's! They were expertly coxed by Joy Barber (well known to Crustaceans II as cox at the first 60's Reunion Row in June 2007), who performed wonders of organisation to bring together all the Christ's crews for the day.

The IV were beaten in the first round. The opposition were given a 27second head start over a 700m race (which lasted about 2 minutes in total). They rowed admirably with great speed and skill, but were sadly never able to completely overcome the handicap.

The remaining Christ's BC crews were a scull propelled to devastating effect by George Watson, this year's Captain of Boats, and the Christ's plastic Tub pair. This was coxed by the irrepressible Mike Housden, Christs's Chemistry PhD graduate (and Fellow's VIII stroke), who manfully encouraged his small crew. This comprised two ageing and ailing alumni: your correspondent, and Christian Naundorf, a more recent and less ailing graduate of St Edmunds, who flew over from Berlin with his daughter for the Alumni Weekend and was keen to re-visit past glories on the Cam.

Video footage shows that the Tub Pair was leading George's scull in the early stages (nothing to do with the 15 sec handicap start!) but in truth, the advantage was short lived, as shortage of breath soon did for the tub pair.

Nevertheless this was a most enjoyable day, with all crews of whatever decade (the '58 VIII went out later) supporting each other. Many thanks to all who helped make this a perfect day, and apologies to those whose names have been omitted.

It emerged during the day that two generous donations to the Boat Club Fund, both of £500, had been received from a well-known former captain of boats from the early 60's and another slightly older Blade. This bodes well for continuing the steady financial progress towards remodelling and expanding the Boat House.

If you can, be there in September 2010!

Next outings:

2009
Sunday 22nd November Training for Fairbairns
Friday 5th December Senior Fairbairns race

2010
Thursday Friday June 18/19th Sponsored Row from Cambridge to Bedford
Saturday 20th June Blades Tub Pairs Regatta and Reunion Row
Friday 3rd December Fairbairns

Good rowing

Tom Swallow