Bumps – the final reckoning

July 26th, 2009

So, we went out on Friday night for our final attempt at the bumps – and once again we weren’t fast enough off the start. We got bumped about 300m into the race, and rowed home for a beer to celebrate our wooden spoons…

But it was all good fun, and with something of a scratch crew (the crew was different every night, and some of our substitutes hadn’t rowed for years) it was always unlikely that we’d be as together as some of the crews that had been training for months. I’ve enjoyed it, and will definitely be doing more rowing over the coming year.


Bumps, day 3

July 24th, 2009

After Emma’s instructions that we needed to “give it everything on the start” we shot off at some considerable speed – in fact, I very nearly came off my sliding seat because I was pushing too hard. We got within a length (60′ – the boats start 90′ apart) of the boat in front when suddenly someone caught a crab and it was soon all over. But maybe tonight we can redeem ourselves and avoid getting wooden spoons (the traditional prize for getting bumped every night).


Bumps, day 2

July 23rd, 2009

We had an earlier start because of rowing in the fourth division, and were all psyched up to row the full course. Despite feeling a lot more together than on Tuesday, we were obliterated by an X-Press boat within about 20 strokes of the start! Oh well, at least we’re no longer sandwich boat. And we got to the pub earlier!


Bumps, day 1

July 22nd, 2009

I took up rowing back at Easter with Chesterton RC. Last night was the first night of the Town Bumps, a chance for all the “town” (i.e. non University) clubs to take part in this very traditional Cambridge race.
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