Cambridge Oxford Boat Race

[Jen Cui]

Harry Carpenter - BBC TV Boat Race 1977
Ah, isn't that nice, the wife of the Cambridge president is kissing the cox of the Oxford crew." 

[sammymaguire]

i thought this was going to be all the intellectual guys on here talking about rowing and maybe some politics or geo-physics... same old faces 

[pintsofguinness]

i thought this was going to be all the intellectual guys on here talking about rowing and maybe some politics or geo-physics... same old faces 

and I thought you'd have something worth reading but no, just bitching that doesn't make any sense.

[haranguerer]

I'm not saying it's not tough blast, it's very tough - what I'm saying is that if someone was prepared to work at it (and work hard) they would become good because there's no real special talent required - just attitude and determination.

Have you ever actually played sport? Blasts analogy about the 5 a side is very apt, I hate all those pricks who go on about playing their 5 a side as though it was actually real sport they're playing, and likely convincing themselves that if only they'd have worked harder they'd have made it in the premiership, and thats what you're sounding a lot like here.

For one thing, to have the mental strength these guys require is most definitely a talent, and one that will serve them better than their others I'd guess.

But thats beside the point. Take elite runners for example. Do they have talent? And if you deem them to have, make a distinction, I'll enjoy ripping it to shreds. If you deem them not to have talent either, then I dont think I need to say any more.

[pintsofguinness]

Of course I've played sport. I wouldn't describe mental strength as a talent but if you'd prefer I'll replace talent for skill.
It's a sport that anyone determined enough will be come good at it as no real skill is necessary. and that's not to knock these guys.

Football is obviously different because no matter your attitude if you haven't the skill and talent you'll go no where.

I've never done any long distance running so I don't really think I can comment on it but my gut feeling would be that the same applies to it as it does for rowing.

[T Fearon]

My niece has been rowing for UCD ladies senior crew for the past number of years and has paddled everywhere from the Liffey to Henley on Thames. She trains daily, a phenomenal commitment, and has felt the sharp edge of Brian Mullins' tongue (no pervy jokes please) on numerous occasions, as have her crew mates, he being Director of Sport at Belfied.

She is a qualified medical Doctor and a real toff...just like me

[Hedley Lamarr]

Of course I've played sport. I wouldn't describe mental strength as a talent but if you'd prefer I'll replace talent for skill.
It's a sport that anyone determined enough will be come good at it as no real skill is necessary. and that's not to knock these guys.

Football is obviously different because no matter your attitude if you haven't the skill and talent you'll go no where.

I've never done any long distance running so I don't really think I can comment on it but my gut feeling would be that the same applies to it as it does for rowing.

Definately full forward material See has big J a spare pair of boots

[sammymaguire]

i thought this was going to be all the intellectual guys on here talking about rowing and maybe some politics or geo-physics... same old faces 

and I thought you'd have something worth reading but no, just bitching that doesn't make any sense.

you spend WWAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY too much time on here and take it all too seriously POG

[pintsofguinness]

i thought this was going to be all the intellectual guys on here talking about rowing and maybe some politics or geo-physics... same old faces 

and I thought you'd have something worth reading but no, just bitching that doesn't make any sense.

you spend WWAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY too much time on here and take it all too seriously POG

and what indication have I ever given you that I care what you think?

[blast05]

I'm not saying it's not tough blast, it's very tough - what I'm saying is that if someone was prepared to work at it (and work hard) they would become good because there's no real special talent required - just attitude and determination.

So anyone can become 'good' at rowing (how good is good ?) .... and i guess marathon running, cycling, swimming, cross country skiing etc etc etc .... by putting a lot of effort in ? And theres no special talent in any of those sports ? Years and years of technique training does not factor ? Mental strength is not a factor ? Your physiology is not a factor ?

[pintsofguinness]

I've never done any of those sports blast so I dont know. 

Years and years of technique training does not factor ? Mental strength is not a factor ? Your physiology is not a factor ?

No one is denying those three things are needed but I'd describe none of those as talents and certainly not skills.

[Hedley Lamarr]

I've never done any of those sports blast so I dont know. 

Years and years of technique training does not factor ? Mental strength is not a factor ? Your physiology is not a factor ?

No one is denying those three things are needed but I'd describe none of those as talents and certainly not skills.

Talent is generally considered to be an inate, personal gift possessed by relatively few people.

Skill is the learned capacity to carry out pre-determined results often with the minimum outlay of time, energy or both.

[sammymaguire]

i thought this was going to be all the intellectual guys on here talking about rowing and maybe some politics or geo-physics... same old faces 

and I thought you'd have something worth reading but no, just bitching that doesn't make any sense.

you spend WWAAAAAAAAAYYYYYYYY too much time on here and take it all too seriously POG

and what indication have I ever given you that I care what you think?

everyone's got an opinion... what's yours worth? http://www.ladbrokes.com/tv-advert/

[Big Mickey]

I'm not saying it's not tough blast, it's very tough - what I'm saying is that if someone was prepared to work at it (and work hard) they would become good because there's no real special talent required - just attitude and determination.

Have you ever actually played sport? Blasts analogy about the 5 a side is very apt, I hate all those pricks who go on about playing their 5 a side as though it was actually real sport they're playing, and likely convincing themselves that if only they'd have worked harder they'd have made it in the premiership, and thats what you're sounding a lot like here.

For one thing, to have the mental strength these guys require is most definitely a talent, and one that will serve them better than their others I'd guess.

But thats beside the point. Take elite runners for example. Do they have talent? And if you deem them to have, make a distinction, I'll enjoy ripping it to shreds. If you deem them not to have talent either, then I dont think I need to say any more.

I have to agree with gallsman and POG here. wouldve known a few rowing ones in queens boat and club and the level of arrogance and cockiness that they displayed which way beyond any other club in the university. especially when you conisder that most of those involved never really rowed up until university (some of them i know for fact didnt even play sport) and that anybody if they wanted to could reach that level in the world of sport, its only a matter of putting your mind to it.

so yes in effect gallsman and POG are correct in saying that to reach the level of univeristy teams in ireland doesnt especially require any specific talent other than determination (if you wana count that as a talent, id count it more of a personality trait than a talent)  but  haranguerer is right aswell because to distinguish between that level and olympic or national level, talent and gene pool come into play (especially regarding height and aerobic ability) something that cant be trained or taught.

in conculsion....a great sport at the highest level, albeit boring to watch but nothing more than social get fit club at university

thank-you

[gallsman]

I never mentioned anything to do with lack of talent. I was merely expressing my belief that university boat clubs in Ireand are full of wankers.