What use is The Boat Race?

On Saturday the third of April, the sports world descended on the Thames for the 156th ‘Boat Race’ between Oxford and Cambridge University Boat Clubs. A quarter of a million spectators lined the banks of the river to see a well deserved Cambridge win over an equally determined Oxford crew in an exciting and unpredictable race. Oxford won the toss and chose the Surrey station, but after gaining a small advantage were pulled ahead of by Cambridge by Hammersmith Bridge, who managed to maintain their lead until the end of the race.

Despite pulling in an international TV audience of tens of millions, making it the most watched single day sporting event in the world, rowing is seen as a ‘minority sport’ in Britain and most of the world, with little other rowing broadcast during the year. With this being the case, what purpose does the boat race serve other than being an annual novelty, as the Grand National is for jump racing, in the world of mainstream sport?

It cannot be denied that the Boat Race is good for rowing. Although regular rowers are annoyed by the apparent focus on football-style punditism before the race rather than showing the race between the reserve crews which occurs half an hour before the main event, this approach keeps it accessible to the masses who perhaps regard rowing as an elitist activity. While we hear much less about rowing than football, it is something that Britain are good at, having won 6 rowing medals at the 2008 Olympics. The TV coverage raises the profile of rowing, and the fact that it is broadcast internationally keeps Britain at the forefront of competitive rowing, despite the truly global makeup of the two crews.

The Boat Race is also important to local residents and businesses. Many independent shops create special displays in their windows to celebrate the event, and the Putney Music Festival which runs over Boat Race weekend gives visitors something to do after The Boat Race while also giving local musicians valuable exposure.

While rowing is often sidelined in sports columns and television, the Boat Race proves that there is still enormous interest in the sport, while also retaining Putney’s rowing heritage, and helps inspire the next generation of British athletes.