At Oxford University, Eights Week constitutes the main intercollegiate rowing event of the year, and happens in May. Both men's and women's coxed eights compete in separate divisions for their colleges. Some colleges have as many as five crews for each sex, and there are seven men's and six women's divisions, for a total of 158 boats and around 1400 participants. Including the qualifiers (named 'Rowing On') the number of participants was over 1800 in 2003. The rowing events take place on the Isis part of the River Thames in the 5th week of Trinity term. Crews can progress up their division by bumping the boat in front. The aim is to become "head of the river" and stay in the lead position. Each years starting position is based on the previous years finishing position. The most successful recent rowing crews have been those from Oriel College.

A similar event is Torpids held in the 7th week of Hilary term.

Heads of River from 1977

External link

• Oxford University Rowing Clubs