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At Oxford University, Eights Week constitutes the main intercollegiate rowing event of the year, and happens in May. Both men's and women's coxed eights compete in separate divisions for their colleges. Some colleges have as many as five crews for each sex, and there are seven men's and six women's divisions, for a total of 158 boats and around 1400 participants. Including the qualifiers (named 'Rowing On') the number of participants was over 1800 in 2003. The rowing events take place on the Isis part of the River Thames in the 5th week of Trinity term. Crews can progress up their division by bumping the boat in front. The aim is to become "head of the river" and stay in the lead position.
