Summer VIIIs roundup 2023

Summer Eights 2023 was another excellent bumps campaign for SEHBC.

The highlight of the event was a tremendous effort by W1, resulting in going +3 overall and bumping up to an incredible position of second on the river, bumping university college right in front of the boathouse, to the elation of both crew and spectators alike.

M1 went +1 overall in a very competitive first division, defying the expectations of their chasing crews and bumping Wadham within a minute on Day 2. This represents an excellent recovery from taking spoons in Torpids this year, showing what can be achieved with proper application of Hall Spirit and pure watts. As a result of the efforts of these two boats, SEHBC now boasts the third-highest combined M1/W1 position on the river, behind only the giants of Christ Church and Oriel. More importantly, SEHBC now has combined headship of boat clubs with crosses on their blades.

W2 also had a great campaign, holding off an impressive Mansfield boat which had bumped all others with ease and going only -1 overall from a high starting point.

M2 managed to row over, again a solid performance given the boat’s starting position in fourth division. Additionally, M2 were able to also bump Wadham in under a minute on Day 2, giving a needed respite from the effort of rowing the whole course the day before.

M3 went -1 overall following a bump in the final 30 metres of the course, and being bumped by Linacre before coming back the next day to bump them and regain their position. Most importantly, the crew had a great time in what was the first summer eights campaign for all of them, whilst the strong performance is a good omen for the future of the club.