From Malvern to the Thames and beyond
Posted by Adam
Saturday 29-March 2008 sees the 154th University Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging. As such an iconic British event, Spartan Clothing, for the second year, are proud British suppliers, designers & manufacturers of SEVERN Skinwear and SPARTAN Outerwear to both Cambridge University Boat Club and Oxford University Boat Club for the 2008 Boat Race. We wish both clubs the best of luck on the day.
During ITV's coverage you may well catch a glimpse of a whole range of subtly branded SPARTAN or SEVERN clothing - all designed and manufactured at our factory in Malvern - including the Alpha Suit, brand new Omicron Zephyr, Chiller Ls Baselayer, Alpha Shorts, Alpha Tights, Fluid Jackets, Reflex Jackets, Reflex Vests. Even our CLUBHOUSE Hooded Tops! Both crews may choose to wear the high-performance Headsweats® Race Caps, manufactured from CoolMax®. As official agents for Headsweats® – one of the world's leading manufacturers of technical headgear - these will be available for sale from Spartan / Clearwater Athletic at regattas throughout the summer.
It's quite surreal to think that last week an Alpha Suit was being manufactured here at our factory [less than 4 metres from my desk] and on Saturday 29-March it will be worn by a highly talented athlete and student from Oxbridge, in front of more than 100 million TV viewers and radio listeners, and 200,000 spectators on the banks of the River Thames. Surreal - but true!
As rower's ourselves, we have followed with great interest the progress of local athlete Colin Scott. This years' race will see Colin make his first appearance for the Cambridge Blue Boat. Selection for the former Royal Grammar School, Worcester, oarsman, in his fifth year at Cambridge, marks the end of a long-held dream for the 22-year-old after three previous appearances in the reserves race. After two wins and one loss for the Goldie second crew against Oxford's Isis boat, Malvern-based Scott will be hoping to end his Light Blues career with victory in the "big one" on 29-March.
That's all very nice, you might be thinking, but what does all this mean for me and my club, and most importantly, my clubs' kit? Well, we didn't just tender for the Boat Race contract for the sake of it! Yes, it's great for us that they wear our kit, and that the feedback we have had has been very positive, but what is the point if we don't build on this, 'kick-on' and supply some really great kit for you - our loyal club customers? Well, that's exactly the point. All the development work that goes into new products, gets tested by the Boat Race crews and our Product Development Partners, so that you get a 'tried and tested' garment that will last you many years [and hundreds of training sessions] - both on the water, on the ergo and in the gym [and occasionally, just very occasionally, in the bar!].
We'd like to think that we know pretty-much what a customer will like, as rower's ourselves, particularly with an experienced in-house designer and marketing consultant, but it still has to be tested rigorously by rowers and coxes alike. CUBC and OUBC, as well as our other test 'guinea pigs' such as GB Oarsman Tom James, provide us with honest and constructive feedback, all of which are considered and taken 'on board' in the production of the final garment that becomes available to you and your club.
Two classic examples of this are the Reflex Vest and Omicron Zephyr. The Reflex Vest was developed a couple of years ago, in conjunction with CULRC, specifically for the Henley Boat Races. After initial development work and testing, we have further enhanced this garment - such as the introduction of the new Spartax 155 stretch side panels to increase freedom of movement and breathability - for it to become one of our most popular items of gear. A large number of universities and clubs adopted this unique lightweight 'sleeveless gilet' for the first time this year - some as a more practical 'on the water' replacement for the traditional 'splash jacket'. Last year it was picked out by Cambridge as their favourite piece of kit.
The Omicron Zephyr - or at least the concept - was an item our product development team had had 'up their sleeve' for a while now. It was pushed forward in the product development timetable for this years' Boat Race, as both crews had requested a 'tighter-fitting' zephyr, but, crucially, still keeping the vintage zephyr look. Last year Cambridge chose the popular Elite Zephyr, but felt it was a little too loose for the 4-mile, 374-yard race. After some hours on the 'erg' and in the boat, testing a couple of different versions and fabrics, the Cambridge President, Dan O'Shaughnessy, decided on the one they wanted for the Race - the newly named Omicron Zephyr. From April onwards we will now be offering this brand new Zephyr - manufactured from Meryl® Breathe [a lighter weight micro-mesh fabric] - to you! It will be available in both a Men's and Women's specific fit. More information will be uploaded to the website soon.
So we hope these garments won't just be found on the Thames on Boat Race Day, but throughout the year on the rivers Trent, Severn, Avon, Wye, Tyne and lakes / reservoirs of Peterborough, Dorney, Hollingworth, Stithians, Holme Pierrepont, Banyoles and beyond...
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