Admiral Cod: Sport

24 July 2014

Rowing Blazers

Rowing Blazers looks at the authentic striped, piped, trimmed and badged blazers that are still worn by oarsmen and -women around the world today, and at the elaborate rituals, elite athletes, prestigious clubs and legendary races associated with them. Each university, school, college and club featured in the book is represented by a blazer-clad rower or group of rowers including world champions, record holders and Olympians such as Sir Steve Redgrave and Cameron & Tyler Winklevoss of The Social Network fame. The stunning original photographs, many by prep guru F.E. Castleberry, are taken in situ at the historic boathouses, campuses and team rooms of clubs in the United States, Great Britain, the Netherlands, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and beyond. These enchanting portraits are punctuated by thrilling action shots from the Henley Royal Regatta, the Head of the Charles, the Olympic Games and the Boat Race; and accompanied by histories, anecdotes and captivating descriptions of the esoteric traditions behind each blazer.

Rowing Blazers, by Jack Carlson (Thames & Hudson Ltd, 2014)

20 January 2014

Games

I suppose it is a measure of my acute estrangement from pop-society that I had no idea an important American football game took place yesterday.

No wonder the gym was practically empty!

I already must have been asked half-a-dozen times today by complete strangers what I thought about the result, the performance of the quarter-backs, the defence, etc. WTF?! I've no idea what these proles are talking about. Nothing.

Now don't get me wrong. As you know, I'm into fitness, weight-lifting, and competition, and becoming more so. And I've been known to watch the occasional rugby match or tennis tournament. My background in rugby, squash, and rowing at prep school and university levels is documented.

But, as always, I would rather do than watch.

Professional sports are to fitness as porn is to sex.