Christmas 8+s: ICBC Christmas celebrations got underway on Decemeber 7th with the traditional Christmas 8+’s racing. Departmental glory was at stake with boats representing the Royal School of Mines (RSM), Royal College of Science (RCS), Imperial College School of Medics (ICSM) and City and Guilds (C&G). Non-IC students were eligible for boats determined by their university subject or rowing skills or indeed their willingness to accept bribes. The one-on-one regatta style races took place from the blue railings to London RC (...ish). With crews of wigged men and chicken suits emerging from ICBC boathouse fellow embankment boat clubs stood in awe. Our interpretation of awe may well be confused with embarrassment, but for the sake of argument, we’ll run with awe.
RSM were a very inclusive team welcoming IC-aliens Will Todd, Dom Meyrick-Cole and coach James Blackley into the crew. Their main rivals were C&G who were unable to shake the competitive streak and spent the days leading up to the race huddling and whispering about crew selection. Tension was high in the boathouse flat with RSM Captain Duffy noticing a distinct silence descending upon any room she entered. C&G’s Adam Seward, Iain Palmer and Danny Bellion were busy plotting crew selection and were overheard pilfering RSM’s mandatory novice the night before the race. Arguments ensued and rules were quoted back and forth across the hall with no resolution in sight.
Head Coach Steve’s responsibilities involved waving a red flag for disqualification and calling Attention – Go! However the flag was soon found floating away in the stream and when after half the race course was eaten up by crews tapping ahead it was evident Steve wasn’t going to shout go anytime soon. Crews randomly started into race pace and Steve decided the winner by which boat had the nicest colour. Crews adopting fancy dress were promised head starts but sadly this never transpired. The scientists of RCS adopted the persona of the coaches with Mackenzie Clavin illuminous in Stu’s hi-vis boiler suit and Alex Gillies looking a little too convincing as the man himself, Stevie T., at stroke. RSM donned wigs and aprons as 8 Maids-A-Milking, although they may have looked more like psychotic dinner ladies or butchers. But the effort was appreciated. The C&G Terminators would take no chances of a costume catching in the slider foiling their 15 stroke race plan so they stuck with ICBC lycra in true Christmas spirit.
With racing complete and no winner clearly decided upon (although C&G will argue this point to which we reply there was no girl in your crew for the first two races thus you are disqualified), it was time to embrace the Christmas season. Captain Erica Thompson made use of the only key she was presented with upon accepting her captaincy and was in her element in the kitchen. Following consumption of jugs of mulled wine, boxes of mince pies and stacks of pizza we were sufficiently merry to find party games entertaining. After Secret Santa swapping it was time for Pass the Parcel Inebriated. With such exciting forfeits as ‘Touch Will Todd inappropriately’ and ‘Touch Will Todd inappropriately’ much fun was had throughout the night. Ellie Berry had to be coaxed down from the gym box step after an extended dance routine forfeit and Chloe Symmonds held cox Henry Fieldman to a 40 second arm-wrestle.
As supplies began to run low the Christmas cheer was swiftly herded out of the boathouse and into Putney to continue the celebrations. Steve’s parting Christmas gift to the club was the announcement of an impending 2km test. Ho, ho, ho.
Christina Duffy