Boat race, non event of the year?

Great Day yesterday. We always support Cambridge, even though DD was never in the rowing team.

I remember it too Bazza because my mum and dad always had a bet with one another and we'd sit down as a family to watch.

Well I support Oxford, always have.

Nuff said.

I think the problem is, Bazza is that there is so much waffling beforehand and afterwards with so many of these events. They are trying to extend what should be perhaps a one hour programme into hours and it just becomes drawn out and, should I say, boring.

Always watch it, but i have no idea why! Felt sorry for the commentators trying to make it sound exciting.

We were there, the atmosphere was great and like a festival. Fortunately the rain held off until after the main race, when the wind got up and made the Thames very choppy.
Being brought up in that area makes the event rather special for DH and I as we have many memories of Boat Race Day!
I have always supported Cambridge.
I think it’s one of those sporting events when it’s better to be there.

I thought exactly the same when I stumbled across it yesterday - it used to be such a big deal. There would always be a lot of boats following and I remember Princess Margaret and other VIP's would be on one of them with binoculars following every move.

Shops used to dress their windows in the opposing blues and there was much rivalry between the supporters.

Yesterday seemed like a one horse race (or one boat) with very boring commentary. I didn't even realise it was yesterday, I was just channel hopping. (And I thought it always used to be on a Saturday, but that could be my memory).

I enjoyed it. Try to watch as I used to live near Putney in the 60s many years ago and watched the start from the tow path. Better watching from home as you see the whole race, and there is always the chance a boat will sink or they will collide, as nearly did this year, then there are the handsome young men in their short shorts and wellies.

It did used to be on a Saturday in May I think.

It was such an event.

I also thought it used to be on a Saturday.

So many of these events were ‘huge’ when I was a child- the Boat Race, Miss World, the Royal Command (Variety) Performance, the British Legion Remembrance Service, the Queen’s Christmas Day Speech, The Grand National…..

They formed part of growing up.

Now so much going on the whole time, these are just more happenings.

Dont watch it even though DH rowed in his youth.

My dad used to tune in back in the day.

I usually watch it each year but I never knew it had been and gone I don’t remember reading anything about it or the results Who won I m a Cambridge gal

It’s mostly boring I think anyway unless a sinking, collision or nuddy swimmer in the water.
For many years Cambridge always win so it’s a big yawn.
It used to be a race between undergrads, then post grads crept in, then strong rowers were sought by the Universities and brought in on some mickey mouse course when the only point of them being here was to win the Boat Race.

I watch it I support Cambridge reason being we lived in Cambridge gardens when I was a child. I enjoyed despite it being so one sided this year.

We used to go to watch when we lived in Hammersmith, always a festive atmosphere.
Later we lived in Hounslow and took our small children to watch. One memorable day DS ran along the tow path chanting ‘Cambridge sink, Cambridge sink…’!

I think going to see sport live is a great experience, thinking especially of bring in Cardiff on a rugby international day, but if you want to actually see the race/game then tv is a much better option! I sometime see people at events with headphones listening to the radio commentary.