The day started with a bright and early 7am start, and the UK’s heatwave had already made itself known, with temperatures climbing into the twenties before breakfast. But as the sun rose above the trees and its light reflected off the Thames, the early morning quickly felt worthwhile.
The Executive MBA participants arrived with a mixture of enthusiasm and nervousness. For most, if not all, it was their first time in a rowing boat.
The morning began with an introduction from Professor Michael Smets, followed by a lesson on rowing technique and timing using the ergs (rowing machines). Working in groups, the participants spent around thirty minutes learning how to match their movements and find a shared rhythm before taking to the water.
Following the session on the ergs, it was time to launch the boats. Accompanied by members of Green Templeton Boat Club, the crews set off from the boathouse and headed upstream towards Folly Bridge. After stopping to regroup and receive feedback from their coaches, they turned and made their way back along the river.
The difference between the outward and return journeys was immediately noticeable. With a little coaching and growing confidence, the boats began to move more smoothly through the water as the crews settled into a steadier rhythm.
By the end of the morning, what had begun as an unfamiliar challenge had become an enjoyable introduction to one of Oxford’s most enduring traditions. For many, it was their first experience of rowing, but maybe not their last.
