This year Summer Eights took place from Wednesday 25th to Saturday 28th May, with the main event of the intercollegiate rowing calendar drawing the usual crowds down to the banks of the Isis to bask in the early summer sun and the feats of the Colleges’ boat clubs.
St Hugh’s College Boat Club had an excellent campaign during Torpids this spring, with three out of the College’s four boats competing achieving blades, and were looking to bring that form on into Summer Eights. The Men’s first crew were particularly successful again this summer, bumping on each day of the regatta and in so doing achieving blades. This constitutes the crew’s highest ever overall position and is the first time they have entered the Men’s Second Division.
There were also positive results for the Men’s and the Women’s second crews who moved up three and two positions respectively. The Women’s first and third crews had a tougher time this year falling a few places, but they will no doubt be moving back up in 2017.
Summer Eights is the main intercollegiate rowing event of the year. Crews compete over a four-day regatta on the Isis. Unlike most regatta races, the crews set-off linearly with the aim of catching up to and “bumping” the boat in front of them, whilst at the same time aiming not to be caught by the boat behind. Held every year in the fifth week of Trinity Term, Summer Eights sees some 1,500 participants take to the water to compete.
You can find more information about Summer Eights, Torpids and the crew members who competed this year on the College’s Boat Club website.
