Sidney Sussex Boat Club (SSBC) had a fantastically successful run at this year's May Bumps, with multiple crews improving their positions.

Heidi Francis, Captain of Boats, said: "May Bumps 2024 was incredibly successful for SSBC, moving up a total of 11 places across five crews and four days of unpredictable racing. We had a third Men and Non-Binary crew racing for the first time since 2015 and both they and our M2 (Men and non-Binary Crew 2) held their own against tough competition. M1 came into Bumps with fighting spirit and achieved a brilliant three bumps, rowing over on the final day.'

Two rowing boats race close to each other on a river

'Both the first and second Women and Non-Binary crews won blades which is an amazing result, especially following on from blades last year for W2 and for the past two years for W1.'

'All rowers, coxes, and coaches should be incredibly proud of these results and the amazing display of SSBC that has been shown during this set of Bumps.'

The history of the Bumps stretches back to the 1820s. Today, races take place twice a year on the River Cam. Cambridge Colleges field multiple teams which compete in divisions, the starting positions determined by the results in the previous year.

Teams line up one and a half boat lengths apart (approximately 90 feet). A cannon signals the start and the crews then row down the short course, the aim being to catch and 'bump' the boat in front. Crews that successfully 'bump' on each of the four days are awarded 'blades' (also sometimes referred to as 'oars').


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