As part of our introduction to university life, John, Joe, and I decided to our try our uninitiated hands at the oars of Exeter's Novice Mens' D boat. Our weeks of practice included mornings rowing along the Thames as the fog lifted and the sheep grazed, evening runs wending their way through the colleges, and calisthenics in the old boat house. By the beginning of December, we were ready for the term's big race, Christ Church Regatta. Although our boat didn't fare well, we still enjoyed this quintessential Oxford sporting event.