Summer Eights

Saturday saw the culmination of Summer Eights, the annual college rowing races on the Thames (or rather 'the Isis').

Crowds lined the banks from Iffley Lock to Folly Bridge, cheering on the eight-member crews as they attempted to bump each other's boats.

Several college boathouses sported trans flags in protest at a recent decision on the eligibility of trans rowers.

The City Barge Boat Club operated their usual ferry service across the river for rowers and spectators who didn't want to take the long route around over Folly Bridge.

After four days of racing, Oriel men's boat reclaimed their 2024 position at Head of the River (top of the first division), while University College were this year's winning women's crew.

The winning boat was carried through the streets of Oxford, from the boathouse to Oriel College.

Clarion photographer Roger Close was given special permission to record the traditional burning of the (replica) boat inside Oriel's First Quad. (And amazingly, an Oriel alumnus who'd returned for this year's 700th anniversary celebrations can be seen jumping over the burning boat in this National Geographic video from 1982!)