When was the last time you went ice-skating in Oxford?

The rink in Oxpens Road (the building that I only know as the “ship”, thanks to those 30 metre masts) is celebrating its 25^th anniversary on the weekend of 5^th December.

Home to a number of clubs and organisations (including the OXIST Ice Skating Club, Oxford Stars Ice Hockey team and a Junior Figure Skating Club to name the ones I know), it also offers lessons in figure skating and ice dance.

I went absolutely ages ago and remember being rubbish but enjoyed watching everyone else whizz round.

So anyway, it’s hosting a gala weekend to celebrate the anniversary, where you can watch World Professional Champions do their own twisting and twirling. More info can be found here

A fantastic weekend of sport topped by England winning the Ashes. For one horrible moment I thought Australia were going to do it, but the good news is, it’s not all over yet as cricket fever seems to have swept the nation.

In fact, according to our latest figures, searches for cricket sports equipment and sportswear in Oxford, along with local cricket clubs, have surged dramatically since the start of the Ashes. I wonder if any budding young cricket players in this area will end up helping lift that little urn at some point in the future?

How nervous must those boys be?

What started as a simple challenge from one university to another has turned into a major international sporting event that draws in millions of spectators.

Saying that, these boys are used to the pressure. You look at their profiles on the website and most have seen substantial international action.

Still, I can’t even begin to imagine the schedules, effort and training agony they must have been through. I never took to the rowing scene at university but I heard and saw enough of it to know my nice warm bed at 5am was preferable.

According to their facts and figures page;

“Every member of The Boat Race crews trains for approximately two hours for every stroke in The Race. It takes about 600 strokes to complete the course.”

Ouch. After all that training, the current Course Record of 16 mins and 19 seconds is at stake. And pride of course. To be fair, I get the impression it’s the winning, rather than the taking part, that counts.

Cambridge currently lead the series since 1829 by 79-74, so whether you’re at The Mile Post, Hammersmith Bridge, Chiswick Steps, Barnes Bridge or The Finish, enjoy the day and take a moment to think about all that effort. It’s exhausting just to watch it.

The 155^th Boat Race starts at 3.40pm on Sunday 29^th March 2009. Feeling inspired by all the activity? Get yourself down to a gym in Oxford and at least have a go at rowing to see what it could be like