Cambridge is celebrating the Town Bumps this week, in which, unlike the College Bumps, local rowing clubs compete.
In a bump race a number of boats chase each other in single file, each boat attempts to catch ("bump") the boat in front without being caught by the boat behind. The race last several days and each day the boats line up bow-to-stern with a set distance of one and a half boat lenghts' between each boat. At the start signal each crew starts to row, attempting to catch the boat in front while simultaneously being chased by the one behind.
As the name suggests, damage to boats and equipment is indeed common during bumps racing!
Once a bump has occurred both crews pull over to the riverbank and take no further part in that race, it is easy to tell which is which as there is a certain gloomy air in the boat which got the bump whereas the ones who bumped show off their newly acquired status by sticking tree leaves in their hair or around their necks.
Now, honestly, is there a better way of spending your long summer days?
