Fenton is now Trenton: Aussie protester boat race video goes viral

THE Australian protester who disrupted the famous Oxford – Cambridge Boat Race over Easter, is now the star in a video that threatens to go viral.

London based Trenton Oldfield made headlines at the weekend when he jumped into the River Thames during the 158th annual boat race between Oxford and Cambridge universities in an anti-elitist protest.

Now the Aussie’s latest antics are making a splash on YouTube, with a mash-up of the stunt’s video footage going viral.

The video shows wetsuit-clad Oldfield swimming in front of the competing boats to the frantic screams of ‘Trenton! … Oh Jesus Christ’.

Of course we all remember the “Fenton” YouTube sensation, where a rogue Labrador is seen chasing down a small herd of deer in London’s Richmond Park, heedless of his owner’s desperate calls.

Oldfield, a 35-year-old anti-elitist, is actually a former private school boy himself, dropping out of Sydney’s prestigious boys school Shore at the end of year 10.

Since his arrival in London almost a decade ago, he has been involved in the organisation of a series of protests about poverty, social inequality and decay in inner cities.

His latest display of activism has led to a public outcry, charges of public disorder offence, and a London court date scheduled for 23 April.

In the wake of the stunt, speculations are now rising that this kind of action could be repeated during the London Olympic Games.

Many have taken to social media to express their opinion, with plenty of angry remarks posted on Twitter complaining that the Aussie disrupted a perfectly harmless boat race.

One cheeky user commented, “It is so wet in London that Trenton Oldfield tried to interfere with me as I crossed the road”.

Another posted, “Thanks Trenton. As if Aussies didn’t have a bad enough name in the UK already. Idiot.”

Interestingly, two other Australians were involved in the race – as rowers – including captain of the winning Cambridge team, David Nelson, who maintained that although the disruption was surprising, his team had been prepared to expect the unexpected.

What do you think? Is Trenton Oldfield a publicity-seeking ‘idiot’ or a hero? Tell us below: