It’s the time of year when, ordinarily, we would have been down by the river supporting our College rowing teams in the Summer Torpids.
Last year’s event was cancelled due to the pandemic, but this year’s event is going head, albeit in a different way, and in 7th week rather than the usual 5th week. This year’s regatta will take place from Tuesday 8th to Friday 11th June, and from 12.00 – 19.00 each day.
The key change for this year is that the organisers, Oxford University Rowing Clubs, are strongly discouraging any spectator attendance, in order to avoid crowds. Access to the boathouse island will be controlled and limited to competitors only and towpath gatherings will be discouraged with a combination of clear signage, security stewards and support from the local authorities.
The entire event will, instead, be livestreamed to enable everyone to watch, and you can do this by following the link below:
https://www.oxfordbumpsracing.com/
The filming and broadcasting is courtesy of First Sight Media, who will be providing an extremely high quality experience for viewers – using multiple fixed cameras and a drone. This should give College members and relatives of participants the opportunity to see entire races and to experience far more of the event than has ever been possible from one viewing position at a boathouse. It’s also, of course, globally accessible.
A team talk before the Summer Eights rowing competition begins
Tune in tomorrow, Tuesday 8th June, at 17.45 to watch one of our women’s crews racing in Division 2. To get in the spirit, here’s a link to a College film about the 2019 regatta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJkGU8R7g7s
We wish our JCBC teams all the best for this year’s event, and hope all our rowing supporters enjoy the livestream.