The history of the COLTS EIGHT of 1983 is a complicated one and cannot be considered independently of the Junior Colts 1982 or even the Novice VIII 1981 - in those earlier years a feeling grew up that there was a better and there was a lesser half of the eight and that real fulfilment was only to be found in competing in f ours. It is of course a possible, though I am sure wrong, interpretation of the success of one of the Juniors Colts fours at the 1982 National Schools Regatta: any eight, from international to Novice D level, could be split into two fours one of which is faster than the other (or 4 pairs or 8 sculls for that matter pace the cox!). After what looked like a promising start to the season, with some fast trial eights, within a few weeks it became apparent that some of the selected crew deemed it not worth their while to row with the others, so as a result of some traumatic meetings, four of the oarsmen (if that is the right word) decided to row together and the 'A' crew was reconstituted from the remains of the originally selected crew and half the 'B' eight. Meanwhile another four (coxed and coached nobly by CJHR) had been training as a unitand enjoying their rowing while the others in the age group had been spending most of their time in emotive discussion. Perhaps the philosophy behind the issues raised by this whole sordid matter should be discussed in some subsequent issue of the Monktonian, for it is fundamental in why people play games, why people train hard to be fit and in considering the true ethos of the boarding school.

The subsequent story of the Colts eight is fortunately a happy one - it looked as though it would be an uphill struggle if the crew was to justify itself, but it is the very fact that the crew realised, as it were, that it would have to come from behind to win that proved its main asset. With determination refined in the furnace of reconstitution of late January all members of the crew both worked physically and improved technique in such a way that positions in our two head races were clearly on the way up and by the time we came to the regatta season the crew was looking an effective and competitive unit. What everyone needed was a win, for only the cox had previously won a trophy. At Coate we won a race, but were too slow off the start to reach the final. By Hereford we had developed a better start and a very impressive take-her-home, but more than that was needed f or victory. The half-term event at Worcester found hopes very high, but they were effectively dashed by our being drawn against a very good Oxford Polytechnic crew who were probably three stones heavier per man. At National Schools Hegatta we had to wait almost a day from arrival before our one race, the final; from early morning it was apparent that there was a determination breathing from every pore of every member of the crew that would allow no mistakes in this event, and that, in spite of sinking conditions, in spite of the long wait and in spite of opposition lookingbigger and mor powerful we would be disappointed with anything but a win. Even the cox falling six feet from a w all onto concrete and becoming concussed seconds before we launched only served to concentrate our attention to victory. Suddenly all the training, all the care over learning technique, the outings in foul weather, the pain in the gym (and the taunts of fellows!) became worthwhile. Everything seemed to click from halfway down the course as we moved from third to second place after 1000 metres, and finally, with a solid increase in both rating and work we rowed through Oundle to win by a sound margin. What well deserved medals they were! At Tewkesbury the following week we rowed a good first race to come 2nd. to Cheltenham and beating Canford. In the second race, against the same opposition, we came in 3rd. after a lethargic row caused by our being stranded on the water for the best part of an hour. The third race saw the determination of the previous week return with a vengeance, and in the final Colts race of the day we led all the way beating both crews in what turned out to be the fastest time of the regatta. By Reading the following week fitness was beginning to lapse as 0-levels took over and we were outclassed by a very fast Westminster crew and a Pangbourne/Barn Elms composite preparing for the National Championships. Our row against Shawnigan Lake School (Canada) over the full 1 mile 550 yards of the Henley course suffered from the same decline in fitness, though it was a plucky row nonetheless and the crews were level at the Barrier. Mention should also be made of the best outing of the term - our practice Henley course in which every man in the crew worked on every stroke from weir to brook, an outing somehow symbolic of the efforts and success of the crew this season. No individuals should be singled out - all nine members have combined their talents to produce, in the end, a successful crew who have enjoyed their rowing together. What more can one ask?