Preparations for the Boat Race

Mike Wherley, the oldest ever competitor, helps carry the oars to the water for an Oxford outing Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Mike Wherley steps into the Oxford boat Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Oxford put their boat in the water Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Oxford practice starts near Putney Bridge Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Oxford lift their boat out of the water Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

An Oxford rower carries his oar back to the boathouse Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Oxford coach Sean Bowden (right) gathers his crew together after training Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

The pump control switch in the Cambridge boat. There is also a stroke meter for the new stroke, Ryan Monaghan Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Cambridge coach Duncan Holland adjusts the angle of the stroke's blade Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Shoes tied into the Cambridge boat Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Cambridge cox Rebecca Dowbiggin Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

The Cambridge crew pass some schoolchildren near Hammersmith Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian

Cambridge lift their boat out after a training session Photograph: Tom Jenkins/Guardian