The Boat Race

[Richiew]

Classics is a big thing at Oxbridge, so how about Greek fire, bow rams and archers?

 

[daleyd]

 

[not done it yet]

It's just down the road from me so I've been a few times

If you found it dull, you might be considered a ‘slow learner’ if it took so long (several years?) for you to come to your conclusion of it being ‘dull’.

 

[Eric the chicken]

I want to know how it is the same two crews get to the final every year!

 

[redlig]

I want to know how it is the same two crews get to the final every year!

They are the only ones with boats .

 

[8ob]

It is, surely the definition of dullness.
It's just down the road from me so I've been a few times - terrifically boring. Even on the telly it's pretty much over by Hammersmith Bridge.
It needs a revamp/rebranding.
Option 1,
Soft projectiles thrown from the shore to potentially put the boats at an unease.

Option 2,
DRS.

Any other suggestions?

Yes, drain the Thames and stage mud wrestling instead

Bob

 

[Keith 66]

If you divided the rest of the boat clubs up into four teams & gave them those big three man catapults, then put two of each team on each bridge. One team uses flour bombs the other one soot, Choice of ammo down to toss of a coin like which side of the river to start.
That would make it really exciting.
And mud wrestling at the finish of course.

 

[Greeves246]

Make the ladies race topless. That’s lowered the tone.

 

[Cobbler]

Make the ladies race topless. That’s lowered the tone.

Is that finishing with the mud wrestling as well ?

 

[redlig]

There used to be a boat race called "The heads of the River " that our school competed in. I think the, many, boats were sent off in number order and the idea was to catch and pass as many of the ones in front and try to avoid being passed.

 

[Tinbasherdan]

Allow boarding, that should spice it up a bit. Also the odd sea mine

 

[mike os]

Boat mounted trebuchet?

 

[DaveB]

Make the crews drink a pint at each bridge.

 

[Easywelder]

There used to be a boat race called "The heads of the River " that our school competed in. I think the, many, boats were sent off in number order and the idea was to catch and pass as many of the ones in front and try to avoid being passed.

There still are, they are actually time trials but in the big heads on the Thames crews will pass and get passed a lot. The mens head of the river race has about 300 eights all going off in 10sec intervals, quite an organisational feat.

 

[Cato]

If you want entertainment value then just turn it into an "It's a Knockout" challenge. Oarsmen in foam sumo suits, using massive wooden spoon with holes in for oars, they have to run to the bank over tippy pontoons every mile or so to collect a bucket of coloured water. There are water cannons and foam pies fired at them to try and tip the boats over and the team with the most coloured water tipped into an oversized measuring beaker at the end wins.

Perhaps try to avoid the paedo presenter.

 

[redlig]

If you want entertainment value then just turn it into an "It's a Knockout" challenge. Oarsmen in foam sumo suits, using massive wooden spoon with holes in for oars, they have to run to the bank over tippy pontoons every mile or so to collect a bucket of coloured water. There are water cannons and foam pies fired at them to try and tip the boats over and the team with the most coloured water tipped into an oversized measuring beaker at the end wins.

Perhaps try to avoid the paedo presenter.

Now your just being silly.

 

[redlig]

Having just sat through yet another debacle also known as F1 I have just realised what the boat race is lacking in order to add some,any, excitement. It needs an chicane about 100 yards after the start when the boats are up to speed and still close enough to be sure of crossed oars. Also could it be relocated in a narrow cut or stream with almost enough room for safe overtaking. It works for F1 why shouldn't it in the boat race?

 

[Bullet2012]

Having just sat through yet another debacle also known as F1 I have just realised what the boat race is lacking in order to add some,any, excitement. It needs an chicane about 100 yards after the start when the boats are up to speed and still close enough to be sure of crossed oars. Also could it be relocated in a narrow cut or stream with almost enough room for safe overtaking. It works for F1 why shouldn't it in the boat race?

Also an incident just before the end that requires a safety boat restart, then take away the second place trophy and give it to the winners, but three hours after everyone has gone home reinstate the score

 

[Bullet2012]

Looks like our colonial cousins have a much better idea.

Henley-on-Todd Regatta - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[mike os]

Optional heavy machine gun for the first rower?