| The Cambridge Town Bumps 2005 | - The Cambridge City Bumps run from Tuesday 19th to Friday 22nd July.
- Racing is in five divisions from 6pm until 9pm on each of the four evenings.
- Races start at the A14 bridge over the river and finish between Chesterton and Fen Ditton.
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What are the Bumps? The Bumps are a rowing race where the aim of the competition is to catch up and 'bump' the boat ahead of you. As the River Cam is rather narrow and windy, it's not the ideal place for a normal rowing race, so rather than assembling all the boats at the same starting line, they are spread out along the river, with a length and a half of clear water in between each boat before the start! All boats start at the same time as the loud regatta cannon is fired – and the aim is then to make physical contact with the boat in front of you, before the boat chasing you can 'bump' you. Overtaking also counts as a 'bump', but as the river is so narrow this rarely happens. When contact is made, both boats stop rowing and the race has ended for that day.
 | | Spectators watch victorious rowers |
If you managed to bump the boat ahead in a race, you move up the league and start in a new position the next night, with the boat that you bumped behind you. The aim is that your boat climbs to the top of your division. If you're at the top of your division you become the 'sandwich boat' and you row twice in the same evening, endeavouring to move up into the next division. The ultimate aim is to be head of the first division – which is very, very difficult to achieve. The Town Bumps 2005 This year marks the 161st anniversary of the first recorded Town Bumping Race. With a record number of crews representing over 800 people, it's set to be a 'bumper' year. Rowing in VIII's, the 60 male and 30 female crews will race for four nights, hoping to bump the boat ahead every night! Racing in the first division is seriously competitive with clubs like Rob Roy, Cantabs, '99 and City all fighting for the top spot. There are also a number of pub rowing teams and you'll see a vast range of different rowers on the river; male, female, young, old, pros and novice. The boats set off very close to the A14 bridge over the river and finish in Chesterton. Racing begins at 6pm, with the last race at 8.45pm. Did you take part in the Bumps? Were you a spectator? Tell us what you think about Cambridge's biggest rowing event using the form below: | 
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