CAMBRIDGESHIRE

Bumping races on the river - A visit to the bumping races on the river is well worthwhile during "May-week" (generally the first week of June - "it's Cambridge darling!") Races are in rowing boats called "eights", not the punts used in the centre of town and these races are held on the River Cam. 

 

Bumping races are dangerous, manic events - there has been at least one death in the past. The river where the races start is narrow and has several bends. Twelve boats each with eight oarsmen and one cox (for steering) start racing in a line up-stream with a short distance between each boat. The objective is to bump the boat in front and to avoid being bumped by the boat behind. A canon is used to start each race and there are about ten races each day for four days. First races start at about 10.30 am until 4 pm. The narrow tow-path by the river is lined with hundreds of students and the whole event is a frenzy of action. During the  racing (lasting at most about 5 minutes) it is a great place to meet and chat and observe the leaders of the future make fools of themselves!

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Select Events will take you to the best location and we take-up a position with a bag of goodies to keep us going and enjoy a loud and fun packed few hours.

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