William Cahill is third chair on the Oxford University rowing team, racing in the annual event against Cambridge University, which takes place 2nd April ’17
The Oxford vs Cambridge rowing race is a massive tradition in the United Kingdom. It was started in 1829 by two school friends, Charles Wordsworth and Charles Merrivale who respectively attended their universities decided to challenge each other to a race.
The very first race was won by Oxford University. Over the years the rivalry has bred a legacy. It is hosted on the River Thames. It is a great surprise to hear that the third seat on the Oxford team is South Africa’s very own William Cahill.
“I raced for the club in the fours heads race late last year followed by racing in the trial eights race which is essentially two evenly matched boats made from the Oxford squad racing the boat race course. We had a short Christmas break and then restarted training at camp in France and have carried on non-stop since.”
“The trialling process is quite rigorous and ongoing and the squad was eventually narrowed down to about 20 rowers from which 2 boats are selected. I have been selected for the Isis crew which is the reserve boat for the blue boat. We will race our Cambridge counterparts, the Goldie Boat, about half an hour prior to the blue race.” said William Cahill.
William was the head boy for St Andrew’s College in 2011. He was the recipient of the the Antony Cark Plate for the most impressive all-rounder every year of his College career. He captained the St Andrew’s College and UCT first rowing crew and has South African colours for rowing. He has a Chemical Engineering degree from UCT and is now furthering his studies at Oxford University.
The school is very proud of him and will be showing the race.
We will be watching and cheering you on. Row hard and row well as South Africans will be glued to their screens watching the Oxford/Cambridge race @standrewscollegegrahamstown
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