Everyone knows that students of Cambridge love a good old tradition, and the Bumps is definitely one of the best and most bizarre.

And it is not just rowers who get to enjoy the escapades on the river, anyone can go down and take in the spectacle of the bumps in the sunshine.

Although to the casual observer, it's not always clear about what exactly is going on.

But have no fear because we have made a handy little guide for steering your way through the city's most loved May-time race.

Row, row, row your boat

What are the Bumps?

We are here to answer all your queries about the famous May Bumps and most importantly, what are they?

‘Bumping’ is a form of boat racing that evolved on the Cam during the 1820s out of necessity – the twists and turns along the river mean that more traditional side-by-side regattas are not possible.

And, of course, the city stuck to its roots and in true Cambridge style, they invented their own race.

The race includes 17 or 18 boats racing in divisions against each other. The boats are lined up, one and a half boat lengths apart, and try to chase down the crew in front.

So what is a bump you might ask? A ‘bump’ means you need to hit the boat in front.

The two boats then stop and withdraw from the river in floods of tears (only joking).

If the crews in front of you ‘bump out’ then you get the opportunity to try to bump the boat in front of them – this is called an ‘overbump’. Boats that bump exchange places for the next day, and by overbumping you can therefore move up three places.

So in simple terms overbumping is always best.

It’s a complex and fiddly process, but basically every crew tries to bump the crew in front before they are chased down, or their prey catches the boat in front of them.

If they reach the finish line without having bumped any other boat, they have ‘rowed over’ and stay in the same position the following day.

When are Bumps?

Queens' in action on first day of May Bumps
Queens' in action on first day of May Bumps

It is time to find your picnic blanket and grab a spot along the river because they are just around the corner.

There are two main sets of Bumps – Lent and May Bumps, and the divisions are separate. They are preceded by a ‘getting-on’ race when there are more crews wanting to take part than there are spaces in the lower divisions and is essentially a time trial.

This year’s May Bumps are happening from Wednesday, June 12, to Saturday, June 15.

The women’s and men’s alternate throughout the day from 11.00am on Saturday, with a race every 45 minutes. The top divisions and therefore the fastest races are later on in the day.

Where can you watch the Bumps in Cambridge?

Sidney Sussex in action on final day of May Bumps
Sidney Sussex in action on final day of May Bumps

If you are thinking about grabbing a bite to eat or packing a picnic here is everything you need to know what where to watch the bumps this weekend.

The Bumps course is downstream of the start of the towpath along the northern side of the river at Chesterton. 

The Plough pub, in the village of Fen Ditton on the other bank, is also a popular vantage point, as many bumps occur around Grassy Corner and Ditton Corner.

At the pub a river crossing service is available for spectators and race officials and participants between The Plough and the towpath. This service is run by Camboats with profits going to charity.

Along the river Cam you can also pitch up and enjoy a picnic where you like in the hope of seeing a few bumps!

Who races in the Bumps?

Caius in action on final day of May Bumps
Caius in action on final day of May Bumps

Anyone! Well, almost anyone as long as you go to Cambridge.

Any Cambridge college can put forward as many teams as they like, but there are some complicated rules which make the Bumps as much about past performance and luck as they are about real rowing skill. Of course those winning the first division may argue otherwise!.

The bumps are a continuous form of racing year on year, so the finishing order of the crews on the last day of the bumps the previous year forms the starting order for the next.

How do people win?

Everyone wants to be top dog and in this race the 'head of the river.'

The aim is to finish at the top of the top division – the so-called ‘Head of the River’ – but the real prize for crews is to win a coveted ‘blade’, an oar painted in their college colours and decorate with the crew’s names.

This means that the boat has bumped or over-bumped on every day of the racing – not an easy task and again, luck plays a big part.

On the flip side, those who are bumped every day or end up going down four spots or more get given wooden ‘spoons’.