Showing posts with label Rowing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Rowing. Show all posts

2014/09/15

MONDAY BOOKMANIA - ROWING BLAZERS BY JACK CARLSON













This weekend I finally received my copy of the "bible" of Rowing Blazers.
The blazer is a staple of modern style, but few realize that this garment has its origins in the sporting kit of Oxford and Cambridge, where the very first blazers were created in bold colors for college rowing clubs. 
Rowing Blazers by Jack Carlson 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.

2012/09/21

GANT CAMPUS STORE, HAARLEM














Today it was the launch of the second Gant Campus Store in The Netherlands, last year the brand with the roots in New Haven, CT & Yale opened the first one in Maastricht. Haarlem is the place to be for up to date prepstars. The store brings the best of Gant Mainline, Gant by Michael Bastian and unique in the Benelux a collection of Gant Rugger. I had the chance to get my Yale shirt personalized. The evening was filled with beer, Ketel 1 cocktails or straight and Hamburgers like the ones you get at Louis Lunch in New Haven, CT. The Gant Campus breathes Ivy Leaugue, Rowing, Campus Library, everything is well thought, like the wall paper with ads from the early 50's. And what to say about the oars used for a wall unit or the desk at the front. If you close your eyes you see Mr. Bernard Gant himself placing the orders of the fabrics for the shirts. Come and see for yourself @ Anegang 29, Haarlem, the Netherlands.

2011/05/14

THE CLUB BLAZER









What's a Rowing Race without a true Striped Club Blazer? 

Where the blazer is part of the dress of a school, college or sports club, these are blazers in the traditional sense, single breasted often of bright colors or with piping, it is normal for a badge to be sewn to the breast pocket. This style is also worn by some boat clubs, such as those in Cambridge or Oxford, with piped version only on special occasions such as boat club dinner. In this case, the piping is in college colors, and college buttons are worn.

2011/04/14

HISTORY REPEATING








Above some pictures from the GANT Spring Summer 1991 catalog. It was shot at Cape Cod, but the funny thing is that 20 years ago, GANT was in rowing as well, as you can see in the first pictures. Nothing happens without a reason, GANT is in Rowing again, last weekend the Varsity 128, The Netherlands. Next month Gant Rowing Race, Stockholm on May 14th.

2011/04/11

NEREUS WINS THE VARSITY 128











Yesterday, under a blue and sunny sky the Varsity 128 took place. I was invited on the vip boat to see the battles of the different universities. Gijs Vermeulen, who wons 3 times the Varsity plus an Olympic medall give us a tour at the rowers area, where all the teams where in full concentration. He told us about the trainings schedules etc etc. The most important race of the day is called "De Oude Vier" (the old four) where the best 4 rowers of the university battle with eachother, I was invited to follow the race in the Royal Sloop which followed the 7 teams from behind. It was Nereus (Amsterdam) who beat the others for the 37th time. It looks like the whole university was in Houten and they all jumped naked with just their club tie into the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. What a day....... 


2011/04/08

CHAD GOES TO THE VARSITY 128




Coming Sunday, the 10th of April, the Varsity 128 will be held on the roaring waters of the Amsterdam-Rijnkanaal. On this canal the crews of the different universities will have a battle who will bring the title back to their city. Will it be Nereus, Laga, Njord or one of the others? I will keep you posted.