A boat race (Beer On A Table Race), is a drinking game between (usually) two teams of equal numbers. Rules vary widely but normally involve a team drinking in series and aiming to finish first. Common rules include those regulating the number and gender of drinkers, the vessels from which the liquid must be consumed and punishments for spilling. The game is common in some university cultures and appeared in the Broken Lizard movie Beerfest.
A race begins with all competitors placing their drinks on a mutual table. When a referee begins the race, the first drinker on each team is allowed to pick up their drink and begin drinking. Once a beverage is consumed, the drinker must invert the empty vessel on their head. This is done to ensure no cheating occurs. The next team mate cannot touch his or her drink until this has occurred. Empty vessels must kept on the competitors head until the race is over.
Boat races are a particular feature of university life in Australia, with competitions between different year levels, faculties and universities. In Australia, boat races are typically rowed with 285ml vessels. Australian medical schools are especially known for their boat racing, competing annually for the Pipps Cup and the Cascade Cup. Teams of four women race for the Pipps Cup, the premier competitive event for female medical students. Teams of eight men race for the Cascade Cup, the premier competitive event for males at all AMSA Conventions. There is precedent for women competing in Cascade teams although not successfully in recent history.
Competition for the Cascade Cup and Pipps Cup is traditionally held on the 4th day of the annual Australian Medical Student's Society (AMSA) Conference. Particular features of this competition include the disrobing of finalists down to bras (women) and underwear (men). This has been used in the past as a method of assessment of "talent" for later that evening. Other points of note involve the New Zealand medical students performing the haka before they race, which is always popular.
The University of Tasmania and University of Adelaide have dominated skolling in recent years; with Tasmania winning Cascade in 2008 and Pipps and Cascade 2010 and Adelaide winning Pipps in 2008, and Pipps and Cascade in 2009 and 2011.
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