BMS Teacher and OBM Row to Victory in Oxford–Cambridge Veterans Boat Race 10 April 2026

Now in its thirtieth year, the Veterans Boat Race takes place on the Friday before the main Boat Race and features alumni crews from Oxford and Cambridge. Each rower must be aged 35 or over, with a minimum crew average age of 42. The race follows the traditional Boat Race stretch of the Thames from Putney Stone to Furnivall Steps, with the unusual rule that any finish within six feet is declared a dead heat.

Charlie rowed in the 2-seat of the Cambridge boat, which secured an impressive victory in a dramatic race. At stroke was Rod Chisolm, an exceptional international rower who competed in two Olympic Games and six World Championships for both Great Britain and Australia.

Charlie described it as “a real pleasure” to row with Rod and to spend time getting to know a fellow member of the BMS community.

Match Report

“We knew going in that Oxford Crew were five years younger on average and about two stone heavier, so we definitely felt like the underdogs. We chose Surrey. As expected, Oxford were quicker off the start. But once we settled into race pace and found that famous Cambridge rhythm and length, we began to move on them.

After already being warned once, we had a blade clash when we were about 3/4 of a length up. Seven lost his blade, and we had to stop to let him get it back. It felt like an eternity but by the time we got going again, we were only about 1 and 1/2 lengths down. We snapped straight back into our race rhythm, rowed through them, and pulled off an exciting come from behind win by two lengths.

I never thought I’d row in a boat that felt like that again. It was brilliant!”