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The etymology of the word "regatta" is debated. Some say it is derived from the Italian "riga", line, for the starting line, and others consider it derived from the Latin "aurigare", to race.
This kind of competitive rowing has been around for eons, first noted in Egyptian inscriptions in 1430 BC. The first known "modern" racing began with competition among professional watermen that provided ferry and taxi service on the River Thames.
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| Doggett's Coat and Badge by Thomas Rowlandson |
photos by Lisa Aurand
Years back we were camping on the Thames in Londons Fanshawe Park (Ontario) and the university teams were out practising. It was a lovely scene...the swans were out as well. You could almost imagine yourself in Britain.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome!! Love your pics and the fact you get to take it in FIRST hand.
ReplyDeleteWell Tess, I've been around also for 'ions' and have never witnessed--or even seen!-- a regatta, OR a practice session.
ReplyDeleteA few other things on which I've come up short also.
Seriously, your blog still rates as one of the best in its categ...what category IS it in?
You're beautiful, gal!
PEACE!
This reminds me of a wonderful book I read recently: A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, by Deborah Harkness. . .
ReplyDeleteOh, my. Some racy pictures from the Mistress of the Manor.
ReplyDeleteAll our grown sons still have nightmares of being hauled out of bed at 5a.m. as young lads by their father, thrown half asleep into the car & then chucked into a boat to cox for a group of silly old farts. Oops, that should read 'A Crew of Highly Skilled Master Oarsmen'. Needless to say not one of the 5 have ever shown any interest in rowing as adults, much to MOTH's amazement.
ReplyDeleteMillie xx
I rowed in 8's at Henley, The Serpentine, and The Cambridge Bumps (amongst other venues). And my father once rowed in Doggett's Coat and Badge. Neither of us was particularly successful!
ReplyDeleteMy father used to love regattas when we came to England from Chile. Love your photos, they remind me so many memories.
ReplyDeleteBonjour from a Chilean travel writer in Paris.
Francisca Mattéoli
www.franciscamatteoli.com/blog/
you see i'm a poet and not quite right in the head
ReplyDeleteyou see i'm a head
and not quite right in the meter
you meet her
and you're not quite right
You're right
better to eat less meat
My daughter was cox for her university men's crew team. Her description: "I get to sit and look at big, good looking guys and tell them what to do- it's the best!"
ReplyDeleteYou know, I'd rather be a rower. I had the exhilarating experience of an impromptu kayak race on a lake, and it really charged me up. I bet doing it with TWO oars would feel amazing! There's such a flow between muscle and water, with the oar like a wire carrying the current.
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