Paul Townshend, boathouse manager and rowing coach, gives us a rundown of all the action on the river from the final Bumps of this academic year.
The 2025 May Bumps have been and gone in the blink of an eye!
Saturday saw wonderful conditions, huge crowds, unrivalled support for THBC on the bank and the five THBC crews completing their week with great energy, commitment, skill and determination.
M3, having qualified via the Getting On Race, finished on the highest of highs with the latest of late bumps. In fact, I cannot remember a later bump! Seemingly determined to age not only myself but also this year’s Overall Captain Ben, M3 got within 5 strokes of the finish line before completing a textbook bump on Sydney Sussex M3 meaning they ended the week +2. The week that this crew experienced is everything that the bumps is and should be. A group coming together, overcoming adversity together, celebrating the successes together, representing their College with enormous pride and at the end of the day, most importantly, thoroughly enjoying their rowing! Congratulations to M3 and their coaches Sam and Dan on a fantastic week.
W2 completed their week with another improved row full of guts and hung on for as long as possible before being caught by a hugely fast Homerton W2 that went up 3 places for the week so huge congratulations to Homerton on their bump and their week. Also, enormous credit must go to the THBC W2 crew this year. The run-in to the Mays was far from straightforward with two crew changes necessary on medical grounds less than 48 hours before the first day. On that front commiserations to Axel and Charlotte who missed out through illness and at the same time thank you to the super subs Abi and Katharine – we hope you enjoyed your week in W2 as much as we enjoyed having you row with us. This relatively young crew will have learned more lessons through their Mays experience that they will probably realise at this point. Hopefully, in the coming weeks the learnings will become clearer as we all begin to look forward to the next academic year. W2 has lots to be proud of! Well done to all concerned.
M2 finished their Mays with an extremely strong row over pushing right away from Lucy Cavendish M1 and valiantly chasing Christ’s M2 who had bumped them the previous day. Sadly revenge was not going to be possible as Christ’s caught Fitzwilliam M2 in front meaning M2 finished the week down one place. For another relatively young crew the race maturity they showed all week belied their lack of experience racing at this level all of which will serve them well in the coming years. A very good campaign all round. Congratulations to all involved including coach Sam who has helped the boat enormously over the past two terms. Thank you Sam!
M1 arrived at the final day with a superb attitude fully prepared to row the whole course again aiming to bump Christ’s M1 back and put more distance between them and Emmanuel M2 behind. A monumental race ensued with Christ’s unable to shake off THBC for well over 2000m. Sadly, M1 ran out of river and Christ’s M1 survived. This should not diminish just how far this crew has come since Christmas. Four first-time rowers in the boat in the Lents and in this year’s Mays four of the crew experienced First Boat Mays for the first time. Six of this boat will be back next year and hopes are high that the foundations have been laid this year for more success in the coming years. As much as anything else I would like to congratulate Ben and the whole of this crew on their attitude this year. It has been a very steep learning curve for all and through thick and think, through good times and after setbacks the crew have never lost heart. They have always come back to the boathouse afterwards keen to learn more and how to continue to progress. For this reason they have been a pleasure to coach all year. I am proud of each and every one of the crew and to be associated with them.
As had been the case throughout the week, W1 were left to round off the day. But this time was different in so many ways. Despite nobody in the crew or around the crew talking about ‘Headships’ or ‘Blades’ it was inevitable that on some level the day was going to feel different…and it was. The crew did a superb job of sticking to their task, staying relaxed and always taking the opportunity to enjoy the experience. The support the crew and I received in the time before and post-race was quite remarkable. The number of good luck messages that were received via telephone, email, letters, on the towpath and, of course, through the constant shouts of ‘Row Hall’ as we made our way to the start. It was overwhelming in a good way and gave the crew enormous energy.
As for the race….as they had done all week, the crew followed the race plan to the letter and had a superb row posting a fast time and in doing so pushed Jesus W1 to the very final stroke. On this occasion, Jesus held out and managed to get themselves over the line to retain the Headship. I would like to offer our most sincere congratulations to the Jesus W1 on a super achievement. They were worthy opponents and they had a super row to hold off THBC on the final day.
The THBC crew could have done no more. And with that should come a satisfaction in what has been achieved throughout a stellar week and over the entire academic year. Led by Captain, Marnie, the group has trained and rowed together with such a wonderful spirit and no one has anything to feel disappointed with. They rowed their socks off and represented THBC and their College with enormous pride, dedication and always in the most sporting way.
The crew began the week in 5th place and ended the 2025 Mays in 2nd. Their achievements are wonderful if left at that.
However, it should be noted that the 2025 W1 is the first crew to end the Mays in the top two places since the 1983 Headship crew. 42 years have passed between these two momentous Mays campaigns and the magnitude of what the 2025 vintage achieved over the past four days should not go unacknowledged.
On a final note relating to W1, I would like to pay tribute to the crews that have preceded the 2025 boat. These crews, by their achievements, have placed the current crew in the position where they could fight for Headship. Since the May Bumps returned after Covid in 2022 W1 has risen 14 places out of a possible 16 with Blades being won by the 2022 and 2023 crews and both the 2024 and 2025 have gone up three places. This is a momentous run of results and illustrates everything that is good about THBC. The All Blacks in rugby have a mantra of ‘planting trees that you may never see by being a good ancestor’. In my experience since I joined in 2018 this is what THBC has done and continues to do. I personally think this is not limited to rowing and is something to consider for all aspects of life. At THBC we are so lucky to be supported in the way that we are and everyone at the Boat Club appreciated the efforts made by so many people in the past, in the background as well as at College and Advisory Committee level. We owe a great debt to those that have come before and I hope that the current THBC members and I continue to do that going forward as we look to the future.
Overall, a superb Bumps on so many levels. So many experiencing the adrenaline for the first time. Some experiencing it for the last time and going out with a bang. If solely looking at results, it has been a successful Mays too. The Pegasus Cup is awarded to the most ‘successful’ boat club competing at the May Bumps each year taking account of results across all crews racing. In 2025 finished extremely well THBC ranking ahead of Caius, Magdalene, King’s, Clare, Newnham, St Catharine’s, Jesus, LMBC (St John’s), Emmanuel, Downing and Christ’s amongst others.
What a May Bumps it was and what a year it was. Thank you to all our fantastic students, coaches and alumni. Thank you to everyone at College for your constant support helping us do what we do and finally thank you to everyone who supports our crews whenever we race. The support THBC has received acts as a constant reminder as the club nears its 200-year Anniversary in 2027 that THBC is a very special club full of very special people who illustrate everything that is good about College, Cambridge and ultimately about the sport we all love.
Have a great summer all!
Row Hall!
Day three of the 2025 May Bumps got off to the most wonderful start with M3 achieving their first ever bump for all concerned catching Peterhouse 100m past the Road Bridge. The crew are pictured rightly enjoying the fruits of their victory and can now look forward to tomorrow with renewed confidence and hope for more foliage! Huge congratulations to M3!
Both M2 and W2 had a day of mixed fortunes. M2 fought valiantly with a fast Christ’s crew behind with honours even for the vast majority of the course. Out crew powered their way down the Long Reach and under the railway bridge before finally succumbing to their more experienced opponents with only 200m of the course left. Congratulations to Christ’s for their bump, commiserations to our M2. Onwards and upwards. Are there many things more satisfying than a revenge bump?
W2 had by far their best row of the week and put together a super start and stride powering around First Post corner and into The Gut as Downing began to claim whistles. W2 fought all the way until eventually Downing effected a clean bump at Grassy Corner. Our crew has learned so many valuable lessons at such early stages of their bumps journey which will stand them in great stead for the rest of the week and for the remainder of their time at THBC. Well done!
M1 also had by far their best row of the week rowing over despite a charging Emmanuel crew trying their very best to catch. After a super start the THBC M1 powerful rhythm took over as they absorbed everything that Emma could throw at them including repeated pushes and one whistle along the Long Reach. At this point our M1 made a clear decision to push away and that is exactly what they did with great execution rowing over to Top Finish a good three lengths clear of a spent Emma crew. Huge congratulations to all of the M1 crew who had a race and a performance to be proud of today. Tomorrow they get the opportunity to avenge day one as they chase Christ’s! A superb effort from all nine in the boat today!
And then came W1. A brilliant week went up a notch today. Starting at 3rd they first had to make sure not to let LMBC into the race which they did promptly. Next was to focus on chasing down Caius W1 who started the week on Head station. The crew settled into a strong rhythm and began to hear whistles as they approached Grassy Corner. Along The Plough Reach as the cheers from the bank became louder so the whistles continued to come. On three whistles as the passed The Plough and the bump was made as the crews entered Ditton Corner. Yet again this crew had executed exactly what they had planned to do and in doing so moved up to 2nd on the river after Jesus W1 rowed over today on Head Station. The crew are, and should be, enormously proud of everything that they have achieved, not just this week, but over the past year and further back for some of those concerned. Three days down…..one to go!
This is our final callout for as many people as would like to come down to the river tomorrow (Saturday) and cheer on all the crews! Let’s aim to make Row Hall the loudest call on the bank! The crews, coaches and everyone involved in THBC appreciate the efforts everyone makes to support what we do and just as it is for the crews it’s three days down….one to go! Come down, shout as loud as you are able and get our crews over the line one last time this academic year!
ROW HALL!
Things are certainly heating up at this year’s edition of the May Bumps – in every respect!
For M3 and M2, day two was a consolidation day with M3 putting together a much-improved row with a comfortable row-over which will build confidence in the crew for the days ahead. Well rowed M3!
Meanwhile, M2 produced a very strong row-over never coming under any threat following the crews behind bumping out meaning they experienced what might well be their most relaxed bumps race ever. They effectively paddled from Ditton Corner to their finish with the rating below 20 strokes per minute for the final 500m. Another good row for the M2 boat and they are now looking forward to moving on again on day three which sees them being chased by Christ’s M2 and looking to have another go at bumping Selwyn M2 who also rowed over yesterday.
W2 made great strides in their second race of the week producing a clean and powerful start holding off a very fast St Edmunds boat for as long as possible. In the end, the power and experience of the Eddies first boat told and they completed a clean bump. Our rowers can now tell the story of how they raced a Cambridge Blue Boat rower and Boat Race winner! There were enormous positives for the THBC crew who will have learned an enormous amount in their first two days and they will take that forward for the final two days. They start day three on station three with Downing W2 behind.
M1 had a tough day at the office. The crew got off to a good, strong start and made their stride hitting a solid rhythm. Unfortunately, Girton M1 held their high rate and started making inroads. Despite their best efforts, the THBC M1 were eventually caught at Grassy Corner. M1 have dusted themselves off and will be seeking a ‘revenge bump’ on Girton while aiming to push away from Corpus M1 behind.
The finale for the day was again left to W1 (pictured). After bumping Emmanuel W1 in clinical fashion at Ditton on day one, W1 lined up on station 4 behind the top three of LMBC, Jesus and Caius at headship. A lightning start from W1 in wonderful conditions brought them a whistle on LMBC W1 well before First Post Corner and within the next 45 seconds they effected a powerful bump 50m before Grassy Corner. Their race totalled 1 minute 50 seconds. Once again W1 had carried out their race plan to perfection and go into day three up two places for the week and in the top 3 crews on the river. Station three will see them looking to hold off LMBC and look towards Caius W1 who were bumped yesterday as Jesus W1 regained the Mays Headship.
The support from the bank has been amazing, as it always is for THBC, and we would love to see as many supporters as possible down to cheer on the crews for the final two days of this year’s Mays. How loud can we make ‘Row Hall’ reverberate around the Cam on day three?
Row Hall!
May Bumps 2025 edition has arrived! After a successful Getting On Race M3 reclaimed a starting position in the Mays after a break. Commiserations to W3 who narrowly missed out qualifying but will be back for more next year!
M3 was our first crew of the day with almost the whole boat experiencing a bumps race for the very first time. After a slightly chaotic start from our crew, and all of those around them as it turned out, THBC managed to find some rhythm and get into their rowing securing a well-fought row-over. Day two will see them chasing Clare Hall M2 and being chased by Kings M3. Well done to all those in the first bumps race!
W2 were up next starting at the head of the W3 division. After a strong start, where they held a strong Lady Margaret boat to station, an unfortunate heavy stroke gave LMBC the opportunity they were looking for with the bump coming on Grassy Corner. This crew, a mixture of experience and first-year rowers will have learned an enormous amount from this race and without doubt will come back on day two looking for a revenge bump.
M2 next. Having enjoyed a good build up to this year’s May Bumps, this crew, comprised of six rowers in their first year of rowing at THBC, made a superb start moving on Jesus M3 after the initial 30 seconds of the race. By First Post corner it was all done with a textbook bump! Short and sweet and a great boost of confidence as a result of a powerful, disciplined and controlled race. A superb effort from this boat who will be eyeing up Selwyn M2 on day two.
M1 began their Mays 2025 campaign in good spirits after a very good period since the Lent Bumps where they have made enormous advances both on the water and at the golf range! THBC were chasing a strong Churchill M1 and being chased by an equally strong Christ’s M1. The crew held station on Churchill until half way along Plough Reach. Meanwhile Christ’s had been inching themselves towards THBC and a battle royal ensued from The Plough all the way down the Long Reach and past the railway bridge. Only then did Christ’s manage to summon the final burst of energy to achieve the bump. Congratulations to Christ’s but also a huge well done to our crew which rowed beyond it’s relative inexperience with four members of the crew in their first Mays in M1 and three of the in their first year of rowing meaning the experience gained here will set them in great stead for the rest of the week and in the years to come. M1 look to chase Christ’s M1 down on day two while being chased by Girton M1.
W1 finished off the first day in great style. Starting off from station 5, they made a superb start and got into their rhythm well as they have done all term. They were chasing Emmanuel W1 while being chased by Churchill W1 intent on reversing the result from the final day of the 2024 Mays. Within a minute, THBC had pulled right away from Churchill and through The Gut the whistles began. W1 kept to their race schedule and soon onto two whistles and closing in on Emma. Outside The Plough three whistles and within 8 strokes of continuous whistles the bump was made. This was a superbly executed race and the crew should be enormously proud of their race. THBC W1 now sit 4th on the river! Day two will see them chasing LMBC W1 so everyone keep everything crossed.
Row Hall!!
Reminder – Midsummer Common and Jesus Green will be very busy due to Midsummer Fair. To avoid the crowds, you can travel to the Boathouse via Magdelene Bridge and Chesterton Road, or travel down Newmarket Road to join the river past Elizabeth Way Bridge.
If travelling by bike, please also be aware of the likely increase in traffic on the roads.