As the curtain closes on another fantastic year of rowing here in Cambridge, it is my pleasure to bring you the highly anticipated May Bumps report of 2026.
For those unfamiliar with the sport, the annual May Bumps is widely regarded as the pinnacle of the Cambridge college rowing calendar. Bringing together more than 1,500 student rowers, it delivers four days of racing that can only be described as fiercely competitive, relentlessly demanding and occasionally chaotic.
The aim of the game? Catch the boat ahead before the boat behind catches you.
For Maggie, it was a challenging week. Seven crews took to the Cam, battling through four days of gruelling racing in conditions that were as beautiful as they were brutal. We could hardly have asked for better weather – although many of the rowers might disagree. Temperatures climbed to nearly 30°C on Friday, creating ideal conditions for spectators but leaving competitors with enough questionable tan lines to make May Ball photographs particularly memorable.
Despite the challenges, every crew showed remarkable grit and determination throughout the week. Whether fighting for bumps, defending hard-earned positions or simply surviving the heat, LMBC athletes represented the College with pride.
Without further ado, here’s how the week unfolded.
Wednesday
Bumps began under glorious sunshine – slightly too humid for my liking, but certainly preferable to rain. The opening day was lively, to say the least, with an unprecedented number of re-rows caused largely by crews failing to clear the river promptly after bumps. Whole divisions ground to a halt, leaving many of us sitting on the Cam for far longer than anticipated.
Results-wise, it was something of a mixed bag. Both Staff and Fellows crews (that’s right, two!) found themselves caught up in particularly chaotic racing and suffered bumps. W3 successfully navigated the confusion in their division to secure a row-over, while W2 and O2 were both bumped out early.
W1 produced a tidy row-over and looked well positioned to attack on Thursday. O1, meanwhile, may have surrendered headship to Peterhouse, but they delivered a seriously impressive performance, holding off pressure for much of the course and demonstrating that they remain firmly among the fastest crews on the river.
All told, it was a chaotic and occasionally frustrating start to the week, but one that left plenty of opportunities for the days ahead.
Thursday
If Wednesday was chaotic, Thursday felt refreshingly orderly.
Racing took place under even hotter conditions, but crews finally seemed to have mastered the art of clearing. Divisions largely ran to schedule, making for a much smoother afternoon on the river.
Across the club, fortunes varied. The Staff and Fellows boats endured another difficult day, with O4 suffering a bump and O3 digging deep through a gruelling double-row in the heat to retain sandwich boat status.
W3 were caught early, but their spirits remained high heading into Friday. W2 delivered a composed row-over, unable to close the gap on Homerton but aided by Clare’s bump on Trinity Hall, which provided valuable clear water astern.
O2 continued to face fierce opposition, eventually being caught by Fitzwilliam O1. O1 once again produced a determined and courageous row, holding Caius almost to the line before finally conceding in the last 500m.
The standout performance of the day, however, came from W1. A confident bump on Emma demonstrated both pace and composure, leaving the crew in excellent shape heading into the business end of the week.
Friday
Friday brought the hottest conditions of the entire week and proved another test for LMBC’s crews.
Unfortunately, O4’s difficult campaign continued as they were bumped by Peterhouse O4, leaving them on course for spoons. Shortly afterwards, O3 were caught by a determined King’s O2 crew eager to reclaim their spot in the O2 division.
Things were no easier for the women’s side. W3 were bumped by Peterhouse W2, who were themselves looking to recover from an opening-day setback against Churchill. W2 then fell victim to a fast-moving Clare crew that, by this stage, appeared destined for blades.
O2 also found themselves on the wrong side of the bumps action, being caught by First and Third and slipping to 16th on the river.
The first boats, however, provided some welcome stability. Both W1 and O1 produced strong row-overs against high-quality opposition, successfully defending their positions and setting themselves up well for the final day of racing.
As the sun set on an exhausting day, hopes remained high for a strong finish to the week.
Saturday
The final day reflected much of what had come before. Conditions were slightly cooler – much to the relief of competitors and marshals alike – but the racing remained as competitive as ever.
O4’s campaign ended with the unfortunate distinction of spoons after being caught by Queens’ O3. While disappointing on paper, it is worth remembering that many members of the crew only learned to row this year, making their achievement in reaching Bumps itself a significant accomplishment.
O3 also suffered another bump, this time from a blading Sidney Sussex O2 crew that had gathered momentum throughout the week.
For the women, W3 were caught by Selwyn, while W2 delivered an excellent defensive row-over, keeping St Catharine’s at bay for the entirety of the course and ending the week on a positive note.
At the sharp end of the river, O1 successfully defended third place overall. While headship may have slipped away this year, their performances throughout the week demonstrated both speed and resilience. You can be certain they will return next year determined to challenge Peterhouse once again.
W1’s campaign came to an end with a bump from Churchill W1. Despite the setback, the crew finished exactly where they began the week, a testament to their ability to compete consistently among some of the strongest women’s crews on the river.
Looking Ahead
While May Bumps 2026 may not have delivered all the results we had hoped for, it showcased something equally important: the depth, resilience and spirit of LMBC.
From first-year novices racing their first Bumps campaign to experienced athletes competing at the very top of the river, every crew faced adversity at some point during the week. Whether battling through scorching temperatures, navigating chaotic re-rows or digging deep to defend a hard-fought position, our rowers rose to the occasion time and time again.
Bumps is never just about places gained or lost. It is about the countless early mornings, freezing winter outings, erg sessions, tankards and friendships that culminate in four unforgettable days on the Cam. This year was no exception.
To everyone who rowed, coxed, coached, marshalled, umpired, supported from the towpath or simply cheered themselves hoarse from the bank: thank you. Your efforts are what make this club so special.
The 2026 season may be over, but preparations for the next one have already begun. And if this week proved anything, it is that LMBC will be back – stronger, faster and ready for the fight once again.
Written by Shannon O’Shea (Donor Relations Officer)