Tight finishes, masterful evasive lines, and plenty of bumps – this year’s Summer Eights had it all, as Jesus College Boat Club (JCBC) President James Perkins (History 2020) reports.

For four hot, sunny days in late May, the JCBC battled it out on the Isis during Summer Eights 2023. The excellent weather was matched by the thrilling spectacle of bumps racing on the water as four Jesus crews competed in the year’s biggest regatta.

It was a successful campaign for the women’s crews, achieving the feat of going un-bumped all week. The Women’s 2nd Eight put in a spellbinding display on Day 1, holding St Edmund’s Hall II a mere ‘canvas’ (ie. less than 1 metre) off their stern from Donnington Bridge all the way to the finish. Their resilience and assured commitment was subsequently rewarded with quick bumps on each of the next three days of the competition. Meanwhile, the Women’s 1st Eight bumped New College on Day 1 before comfortable row overs on all other days to finish 10th on the river, continuing their recent steady climb to the crew’s highest position since 1997.

The Men’s 2nd Eight found themselves in a tricky position in the start order on Day 1, with St Hilda’s and Regents Park’s 1st Eights behind them, as well as strong 2^nd boats from St Catherine’s and Magdalen. The crew gave it their all, including cameos from Ruedi Baumann (DACC and JCBC Senior Member) and the Principal himself, but ultimately were bumped everyday. Earning spoons, they ended down five at 11th in Division IV.

Having raced a ‘double campaign’ as the sandwich boat between Division II and Division I in 2022, the Men’s 1st Eight was prepared for a challenging week. A strong Lady Margaret Hall (LMH) crew bumped them on Day 1, then sending down Trinity from Division I. From Day 2, JCBC fought back. Trinity was swiftly bumped to return Jesus to the sandwich crew position. Following a calm row over at the top of Division II, on Day 3 they closed strongly on LMH at the bottom of Division I but LMH bumped St Catherine’s and escaped. The drama only intensified on Saturday. New College gave a spirited chase in the Division II race but skilful coxing (crossing greenbanks early to move away from New College and draw them into the stream) and the cheers from the College boathouse brought about a successful row over. An even closer race followed at the bottom of Division I, the gap between Jesus and St Catherine’s ebbing and flowing between a canvas and a length the entire way down the course; overlap was not far off as they crossed the finish line. Jesus retained the Division II headship and will return to attempt to punch out of the sandwich boat position and up into Division I next season.

 

The week marked a fitting culmination to a busy and successful year for JCBC. As well the usual calendar of Oxford regattas, including victory for the M1 in Autumn Fours, crews have raced on the Cam for JCBC Cambridge’s Fairburns Cup, on the Ouse for Bedford Head, and on the Tideway at Chiswick Amateur Regatta, where both sides reached the final – the M1 winning pots. The year also saw Varsity Boat Race representation from Molly Cressey-Rodgers (Maths 2021, Lightweight Blue Boat) and Sarah Marshall (History & Economics 2021, Blue Boat). It was also a delight to see alumnus David Ambler (Social Science of the Internet 2021, Men’s 1st Eight 2022, Blue Boat 2022) win Gold in the GB 4 at the European rowing championships during the same week.

As always we are incredibly grateful for all those who supported us during the week, whether amongst the crowds at the boathouse, or from afar.

Summer Eights also saw the inaugural racing use of our freshly-painted 1st boat blades, returned from the plain white used for Torpids to Jesus Green with the Draig Goch on the spoon. You can keep up with and support the fundraising effort to meet the cost of the new blades, including the 24-hour ergathon on 20-21 June 2023 at: https://www.gofundme.com/f/back-our-blades-jcbc