Oxford University Rowing Clubs

Magdalen Raft Guard

PostMagdalen Raft Guard
AuthorChristina Orphanidou
Christina.Orphanidou@eng		Posted At20:20, 23rd May 2008
20 weeks ago
Is there a rule forbidding people from stepping on rafts? It is of course totally understandable that fans should stay out of the way when crews are boating but it was completely unnecessary for Magdalen College BC to assign a raft guard (\'Phil\') who was arrogantly not allowing people to even *step* on the raft while he was holding the Magdalen M1 boat while the crew was warming up before their race. Firstly, it should be noted that this was the LMH/Trinity/Linacre raft. Secondly, they put their boat out too early and were told off about it. Thirdly, \'WE decided that noone should step on the raft\' is not a valid excuse. And lastly, if you feel that you are in that way protecting your boat-club then behaving in a respectful and gentleman-like way would be more appropriate to the prestige of your college and boat-club, both of which we have great respect for. Literally pushing girls off the raft when they are not even close to the boat and when the crew is not even around is definitely not a kind of behaviour that honours you or your boat-club.
 
PostRE: Magdalen Raft Guard
AuthorAnu Dudhia
dudhia@atm		Posted At22:27, 23rd May 2008
20 weeks ago
While Magdalen may not have been as tactful as they could have been, why would anyone *need* to stand on their raft?

I'd certainly be nervous if I had a boat and blades sitting on a raft with a crowd of (possibly drunken) non-rowers milling around, and I assume that most rowers would know this and have the courtesy *not* to step on rafts with someone else's boat already on it. If it was bad today, wait until tomorrow.
 
PostRE: Magdalen Raft Guard
AuthorChristina Orphanidou
Christina.Orphanidou@eng		Posted At22:47, 23rd May 2008
20 weeks ago
I believe there is a difference between ''a crowd of (possibly drunken) non-rowers'' and 4 girls (rowers and coxes) peacefully watching the races and 'stepping' on a raft while chatting when there was no crew around.
I also think it is wrong to encourage this kind of arrogant behavior.