Oxford to attempt a clean sweep at the 2007 Henley boat races

It's that time of year again when Oxford and Cambridge Universities take to the water of the River Thames. Both men and women compete in Henley Boat Races on the first Sunday in April. Oxford won four out of the five races at last year's event and will be attempting a clean sweep this year.

Richard Bates, an undergraduate at St John's College, Cambridge, founded the Henley Boat Races in 1975. He arranged the first lightweight boat race between Oxford and Cambridge over Henley Reach. The first Oxford-Cambridge Boat race took place at Henley in 1829 and every year since 1975, the Henley Boat Races take place after the main event.

The race takes place at Henley Reach and follows some of the Royal Regatta's course. The starting point is at Poplar Point, which is accessed via Leander Way.

Parking for the Henley Boat Races is available at either Lion Meadow, the traditional parking area for the Henley Royal Regatta, or Remenham Farm, near the barrier about 1600m down the course.

A wide variety of homemade refreshments will be available for lunch and tea throughout the day, including soup, sandwiches, burgers, bacon rolls and hot and cold drinks. A licensed bar, serving beers, wines and spirits, will also be available.