Chris:
The comment on technique alluded to the Oxford style, where you stand in
the punt, not up on the back. But that's the "Other Place", of course.
Don't remember ever seeing accomplished punters using the post-off-the-
stern technique. The pole has to be one side or the other, as it needs
to go into the water at about the point you are standing, which gives
you the necessary leverage to propel the punt. On the side also allows
you to steer the punt by pushing the pole against the punt, if needs be.
The trick to ensure the pole doesn't stick in the mud is to twist it
before trying to pull it up. If the pole really does get stuck, it's
best to let go. Otherwise, the inevitable result is a swim.
All this learned during three slightly mis-spent years (many years ago)
at St. John's.
Martin
On 29/05/2015 1:43 AM, ChrisB wrote:
Thanks, Martin, that’s a relief – about the punting technique :-) However, I saw several of
the professionals using the pole-off-the-stern technique; I tried it a couple of times but felt less secure
on the stern. And since Bob was ever ready with his camera I didn’t want to fall in – never
mind that I had already divested myself of electronic gear or anything else that would be harmed by
immersion in the waters of the Cam.
In the end, the only real danger came when occasionally the blasted pole got
stuck in the mud of the river bed, but I managed to retrieve it successfully.
My upper body muscles were fairly stiff for a couple of days afterwards . . .
Thanks, Bob :-)
Chris
On 29 May 15, at 00:53, Martin Walters <mwalters@xxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
Great photo. I'm pleased to see that Chris is using the correct (for Cambridge)
punting technique. Also noteworthy for me, is that it's taken outside St.
John's College (the Bridge of Sighs in the background), with the back of Third
Court (red bricks) visible on the right.
Martin
On 28/05/2015 3:54 PM, Bob Whitmire wrote:
Hi, All!
My email got hacked and I started hawking virility tablets, which forced me to
absent myself from my holiday for a while to deal with Time Warner, one side
effect of which is I seem to have got my capacity to send email back.
We’re on the move again tomorrow, but I couldn’t let the opportunity pass to
share this photo of Our Own Intrepid Chris Barker, aka Indiana Barker, courageously punting
two ladies and one elderly gentleman down the River Cam. Danger to port and starboard, bow
and stern phased Indiana not. All that, and none of us got wet.
Well done, Chris, well done!
http://zone-10.com/tope2/main.php?g2_itemId=17243
More later from Scotland, but probably after we get back,
—Bob Whitmire
Certified Neanderthal
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