The Club's Results
May Bumps 2023
The famous Cambridge University May Bumps on the River Cam
Wed 14th - Sat 17th June
At the bottom of this page there is a link to Cambridge weather. Club members, please go here to add (or correct) results, crews or race reports.
Results Overview
Click a symbol or crew name to be taken to the relevant part of the page.
- Full bumps charts: Men's | Women's
- Michell Cup points
- Cambridge weather
| 1st women's VIII |
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| 1st men's VIII |
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| 2nd men's VIII |
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| 3rd men's VIII |
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| 2nd women's VIII, W2 and Friends |
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Guide to the table
| Double Overbumped |
 | Overbumped - hit the crew 3 in front |
| Bumped the crew in front |
| Row over head of division |
| Row over - did not bump |
| Got Bumped |
 | Got Overbumped |
 | Got Double overbumped |
 | Got Triple overbumped. D'oh. |
1st women's VIII
1st men's VIII
Rowed over
After our early "generous whistle" on LMBC M2, we rowed steadily around Grassy, unfortunately giving them back a length in the process, and had a nice line around Ditton, after which we had a solid push, reaching a length on the reach. Unfortunately, it was not to be, and despite several solid pushes we failed to bump. We wound it down a bit just before the finish, seeing Selwyn in the middle-distance.
Rowed over
We weren't worried, which was maybe a mistake, and had planned to do the same as yesterday to LMBC 2, just without letting them extend the gap between First Post and Ditton.
This went out of the window after 'Binson gained overlap before First Post. Oops.
Big drives from the crew, keen steering from Kian and they're back to only three whistles at Grassy. The slow-motion video footage taken along the Plough Reach has more of us in Robinson's video than in our own. We take a good Ditton, they take a slightly less-good Ditton, and then the Reach pushes are on. Again, they gained slight overlap, but absolutely died by the White House, and we sailed home.
Catz averaged 1:32/500m along the Long Reach, and overbumped them after we'd got about 2 lengths clear. Uh-oh, tomorrow will be fun.
Bumped by St. Catharine's
Unfortunately, Catz caught us before First Post, which is over twice as long as we lasted when we sparred them. (Note that I wasn't in the boat for the sparring, so clearly I made the difference). You'd think that they'd lend us the courtesy to get to at least Grassy after we saved their blades campaign yesterday.
I've never rowed that fast for so long before, and it was amazing to realise that while we were slowing down after about 600m, Catz were not, and bumped us after 750m. Clearing was efficient, but even so we had a very very long time before Selwyn (who started just behind Catz) rowed through.
Tomorrow, I do not think that we will bump them back.
(Note: Catz M1 have so many returners of some fashion that their M2 appears to be isomorphic to their Lents M1).
Bumped by Selwyn
We expected Selwyn to be a bit difficult to row over in front of, but doable with some grit.
This proved not to be the case. There was overlap on First Post Corner, and a bump in the gut. We shot into the bank after holding it up hard, and really whacking 2-seat's rigger in the process.
A pity, but at least we showed that our fly and die could be longer than it was yesterday?
As it happens, Selwyn did not have eight rowers to form an M1 in Michaelmas, as so many of that boat are off trialling.
2nd men's VIII
Bumped by Jesus II
A lot of discussion had gone on the week prior about the importance this day would have for setting us up for the week. A bump up would mean a hopeful rise on following days and saving M2 from its precarious position at the bottom of Div 2, whereas a bump down would have us slip away into the far-from-coveted sandwich boat position. We were going to be rowing all out for 3 minutes, and what happens happens.
Our valiant push would not last though, when carnage in the river further up the division led to all boats coming to a standstill. After some confusion, a re-row was called with the four boats meant to be ahead of us all bumped out and nothing but a row-over, or double overbump suggested in jest (surely one would never happen...), as our options.
As we got to our station, everyone in that boat knew it would not be easy. But we had pulled away once, and would have to do the same again. The start was much the same, with Jesus quick to reach a whistle on us and likely sure the bump would follow soon after. But, as Connor took us around every bend expertly and the crew dug in, we managed to hold them off for a while longer than they'd have expected. Thing took a turn when down in front of the Plough, Jesus made a move and began to put down some power with the intent to go in for the kill. We could hear the second whistle, and before long that boat was looking too close for comfort. They were a powerful crew, and despite some of our best rowing yet, the push away from them never came. And so, just after Ditton, the gap closed fully and they secured a well-fought bump.
Rowed over Head
Rowed over as sandwich boat
Bumped by St. Catharine's II
Bumped Darwin
Double overbumped Sidney Sussex as sandwich boat
After an exciting row the day before that unfortunately cumulated in getting bumped, we were ready to tackle on oncoming day with the goal of breaking back into division two. There were thoughts of a potential double overbump on Sidney M1 who had been overbumped the day before. When Zara and Thomas Frith had independently thought of the prospect, I knew we were in with a chance. However, Darwin M1 were standing in our way first. When Fordy was told of our plan he gave it as much thought as he usually does when a crew declares they are going to double overbump.
We arrived at the boat house in plenty of time with me having just come from bank partying W2’s successful race where they once again bumped up. We readied ourselves and pushed out and rowed to the P+E and then on to the lock with some very nice starts and bursts.
The race against Darwin for a potential position in division two was on and they gave it a good fight, but we rowed well and rowed together and caught them as we entered the reach, unfortunately while clearing we crashed into the bank and took off our bow ball along with part of our bow. Alex Barrett nearly fell in the river attempting to retrieve the bow ball with Bomber and Máté holding down his legs. We quickly dispatched Zara to rush to control to acquire duct tape so Bomber could attach the spare bow ball he seems to always carry on himself.
Once cleared by the umpires and having let all traffic pass us, we pushed out and rowed to the railway bridge where we all got out and held the boat at waists to allow the repairs to take place. With a successful job we rowed back to the lock and got on station quite early. This is when we really started to believe that we could do this. We were going to do the unthinkable and go for a double overbump. Bomber gave us a chat about doing well and rowing hard however he himself had started to believe we might do this as he had revamped our whistle system, 3 whistles for 3 lengths, 2 for 2 and then back to normal. This was going to be a very tough race – we had to gain 11.5 lengths over the course.
When the final gun went, we were ready, we started off hard; rating in the high thirties at our signature 1:22 splits and then we quickly found our rhythm of 1:40 splits which we held for nearly the entire course except for the final build. We rowed onwards to the plough passing Cats and Jesus who had already caught their prey and we knew it was time for us to go. William Connolly didn’t believe we could do it and stopped filming here and CamFM said we were in a race all of our own. Along plough reach we got the call of 4 lengths to go which was a great motivator. We continued to take distance off of them with every stroke with 3, 2 and 1 to go all occurring along the reach. We pushed as hard as we could go as Sidney had now realised the incoming danger and were trying to fight back however, they were fading. We were within half a length as we passed under the railway bridge and approaching the women who were marshalling. Our W1 was screaming at us to go and get them which really spurred us on to the final push as we took the rate up and we kept gaining until finally we saw the umpire raise their hand to award us the bump which we later found out was when they were ten metres away from the finish.
Everyone was elated, Igor splashed everyone in the boat, Orson and Máté were going wild on the bank, Bomber actually smiled and double high fived Alex. It was an amazing feeling and one that we may struggle to replicate for some time. We rowed home with our heads held high and as we passed M1 and shouted what had happened the glee on Thomas’ face was immense that we had actually pulled it off. Imogen Grant later said it was the most insane thing she had ever seen.
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1. M2 at the the bumps ...
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3rd men's VIII
Rowed over
I saw the third of a length gap at First Post.
I heard about overlap at Grassy through the walkie-talkies, before Pembroke went wide.
I heard about overlap at Ditton, before Pembroke took the scenic route.
I heard about the formation of a sandwich, with Kings M2 closing rapidly.
I heard the Umpire state "pretty simultaneous bumps, but Kings clearly bumping first". I may have done a little dance, rather than being impartial as I should be.
Absolutely fantastic, and wonderful drive from a crew comprised completely of novices, none of whom have done bumps before. As much as it does not bode well for tomorrow, you should be so proud of yourselves.
First Bumps race for the whole crew went as smoothly as one could expect. We started with one of the rowers having woken up 30 minutes before push off. Padling to marshalling was actually quite good, we were almost sitting the boat level. Marshalling was fun even if a bit longer because of div 5 having to re-row their race.
As the canons went off we had a great start gaining a bit on Queens’. Pembroke had a great start as well, so much so, that they gained half a length on us after the first 10 strokes. By First-post they were practically alongside us, which continued till Grassy, where they decided to take a rather fascinating line. With the crew moral back in the boat, we actually put down some serious power. Unfortunately though we had some „length issues”, so Pembroke pretty much cought up just before Ditton. However our line once again was a bit better, so we got saved from getting bumped again.
Coming out of Ditton we gave 110%, so we can survive through the Reach. This wasn’t helped by the fact that an anonymous 6 seat cought a moderate crab. We went through the Reach with Bella having a sight of Pembroke’s bowball the whole time, only her coxing masterclass keeping us alive. Under the railway bridge, however, we could not keep them back anymore and made contact with them. The crew started winding it down, just as we got the information of Pembroke being bumped 1-2 seconds before they could’ve bumped us. So we rowed over the first day in a dramatic, exciting manner.
Bumped by King's II
Today, we were unfortunately side characters in King's M2's redemption arc. We had a good start sequence, unfortunately we didn't settle after our cox Bella's power call. King's were closing in on us at Grassy, so Bella pulled out our kill-or-be-killed call: "Defcon-1", although our 5-seat Gianpaolo preferred "Morbin' Time". We pulled away from King's M2 at first, but couldn't hold them off and were caught past Ditton.
Thinking the worst was over, we pulled to the side in a timely fashion and with great efficiency. However, Pembroke M3, hungry for revenge came barreling down towards us. They got the bump, by hitting our stationary boat and our cox's head with their bow's blades. Unfortunately, this was not to their advantage and led to a fine. We entered the next day with renewed determination to bump King's M2 and hold off Corpus M2.
Bumped by Corpus II
What can I say about this race? We were caught by a better crew. Our coach said we rowed well, however the Corpus M2 behind us had higher wattage and we had "length issues".
Bumped by Lucy Cavendish
The final day of bumps, we were excited to deny Lucy Cav M1 their super-blades. Unfortunately, this was not meant to be. They powered ahead and caught us around Grassy. All in all, a very fun first bumps campaign for all of us recent novices in the boat, and we will all enter the new year with renewed determination to do better!!
2nd women's VIII, W2 and Friends
Bumped by Clare IV
Bumped Clare IV
Bumped Caius IV
Bumped St. Catharine's III
Whilst every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the following information, note that the results are unofficial.
Men's bumps charts
Women's bumps charts
Michell Cup points
| Selwyn | 36.00 |
| King's | 21.60 |
| Jesus | 19.50 |
| Wolfson | 18.00 |
| Clare Hall | 16.00 |
| Caius | 15.00 |
| Trinity Hall | 14.40 |
| St. Catharine's | 14.00 |
| Corpus | 12.00 |
| LMBC | 11.14 |
| Magdalene | 10.00 |
| Emmanuel | 6.00 |
| Homerton | 6.00 |
| Queens' | 6.00 |
| Hughes Hall | 4.80 |
| Churchill | 4.00 |
| Lucy Cavendish | 4.00 |
| Downing | 0.00 |
| Newnham | -3.00 |
| 1st and 3rd | -4.80 |
| Sidney Sussex | -6.00 |
| Peterhouse | -12.00 |
| Pembroke | -13.71 |
| Fitzwilliam | -14.40 |
| Girton | -18.00 |
| Robinson | -20.00 |
| Clare | -24.00 |
| Christ's | -36.00 |
| Darwin | -36.00 |
Ineligible after entering fewer than 3 crews:
| Vets School | 48.00 |
| Murray Edwards | -24.00 |
| St. Edmund's | -42.00 |
| Cambridge weather: | Wednesday | text or graph |
| Thursday | text or graph | |
| Friday | text or graph | |
| Saturday | text or graph |
