Easter term rowing with St Edmund’s College Boat Club M1 - more commonly known as the Beef Barge - was a joy. Our coach Angus departed for the final weeks of training to India, but we gratefully had a previous coach, George, step in. The M1 line up was largely the same as in Lent Bumps - Alannah (cox), Tom (stroke), Martin (7), Alex F (6), Alex M (5), Seppe (3), and Justin (2) all returned. We were also joined by Jack in the 4 seat who had previously been rowing for 99s, and Harry in bow who had returned from trialling with the CUBC Lightweights squad. Day One of May Bumps saw the Beef Barge being chased by Catz M2, fierce competition but we went in with a fighting attitude nonetheless. The crew took off after a speedy race start, but unfortunately was caught by Catz M2 on the reach, holding them off for around 1.7km. Day Two saw Eddie’s M1 keen for a revenge bump after the previous day. The crew took off at great speed, motivated even further by hearing Angus’s whistles from the bank telling us that we were catching up to the crew in front and - perhaps - able to get the bump. Unfortunately a mishap in the boat meant that we lost Catz II and were caught by Sidney M2. Day Three was a mission to catch Sidney M2, something that the Beef Barge has wanted since being bumped by them in Mays 2023. The attitude was a positive one on the bank, and the crew took off at great speed. Sadly for us, Sidney managed to catch Catz M2 who were in front of them. Fortunately, we were far speedier than Magdalene M2 and, without any fear of them catching us, the Beef Barge had an impressive row. Whilst disappointing to have not got a bump in, the attitude in the boat was altogether a happy one knowing that we were no longer set for spoons! Much cheering from the bank and crews that we rowed past meant that the row home was a joyous one. The final day of Bumps brought much support from the bank which was absolutely brilliant to see - including our own bank party being double what is allowed. Armed with blue face paint done by the wonderful Liz, the Beef Barge rowed up to the starting line. We were once again chasing Catz M2 which felt like a full circle moment and we were hungry for the bump. Unfortunately, once again, the crew that we were chasing managed to bump the crew in front. This time, though, we fought to get the over-bump. This meant that it was a race all the way to the finish line. Although we didn’t manage to get it, we finished on one whistle - and insist that we would have caught them by top finish! I’d like to extend a huge congratulations and well done to all of those who rowed in May Bumps, and especially to Eddie’s M1 who have had a wonderful year. Half of our May Bumps crew noviced in Michaelmas of this year, and to see how far they have come has been absolutely wonderful. The dedication and commitment has been really admirable, despite the horrible weather that we’ve faced for most of the year. We went from super-spoons last year to -2 this year, and whilst it’s not the result that we would have hoped for, things are going up for Eddie’s M1 - watch this space! A massive congratulations to the Women’s and AFAB crew who got blades this year, we absolutely loved rowing past you on the way to the starting line every day and being able to cheer your massive accomplishments. Yeah Eddie’s!
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What a phenomenal week our Eagles had during May Bumps - bumping up every day in superb style they finished the week with the glorious accolade of blades. Truly well deserved after a year of intense training, ergs & races! The week has been beautifully summarised below by our wonderful women's captain Elizabeth: Day 1 – Chasing Newnham III, Chased by St. Catherine’s II Result: Bump! (+1) Even after winning their divisions in Head of the Cam, Spring Head to Head, and Champs Head leading up to this Bumps campaign, the Eagles were apprehensive on the first day of bumps. The Eagles had come a long way since Lents—they knew they were fast but were also afraid to jinx anything. They need not have been afraid. In the quickest bump of the W3 division, the Eagles caught Newnham III before first post corner! With three shout outs on CAM FM, Eddies were dubbed one of the boats to watch! Day 2 – Chasing Emmanual III, Chased by Newnham III Result: Bump! (+1) Pumped after their bump the day before, the Eagles were back on station 7 for day 2 of bumps. Station 7: the dreaded ‘under the bridge’ position. With smoke blowing in their faces and the bang echoing around them, Eddies still managed to pull of a strong start. A bit more frantic than the day before, the Eagles still managed to catch Emma just past first post corner for a quick bump! We got yet another shout out from CAM FM who called us 'fierce' which is pretty accurate. Day 3 – Chasing Queens’ II, Chased by Emmanual III Result: Bump! (+1) Now on the other side of the dreaded bridge, Eddies had the challenge of steering past the outflow during their starting sequence. Luckily, Cox Rory came dressed for the occasion (literally in a suit and mismatched dress shoes under his waterproofs: you dress for success when you’ve got bumps at 5pm and a formal at 7pm). At the third cannon the Eagles exploded off the start line, leaving Emma in the dust as they went hunting for Queens. In their longest race of the campaign, Eddies caught Queen’s II around grassy corner and the bump was captured from multiple angles (see our Vivaldi-remix hype reel). Day 4 – Chasing Clare II, Chased by Queens’ II Result: Bump to BLADES! (+1) Sitting at a comfortable +3, the Eagles kept reminding themselves that a good crew goes +3 and a lucky crew gets blades. Clare II had rowed over every other day meaning that, while there were probably more fatigued, they consistently demonstrated that they were a fast and consistent crew. So, the Eagles prepared themselves for a long, clean, and consistent row. In hindsight, they need not have worried. With their big woman strokes, the Eagles hit the strongest, cleanest stride they had all year; truly rowing as a team. They caught and nearly surpassed Clare before first post reach, when the Clare cox finally conceded after our bow nearly hit their 5’s blade! For the first time since 2016, W1 was able to row home with our flag held high! Coxed by Rory and powered by the formidable 8—Sophie, Maddy, Alyssa, Xen, Emma, Shannon, Paulina, and Kathy—this boat has made Eddies history as the third women’s boat to ever win full blades in Mays. As the boat pieced by the Plough to thunderous applause, even stoic Coach Matt shed a few tears of joy. The Women’s Captain shed a few happy tears too when she welcomed the crew home to the 99s Boathouse (some of which when writing this, her last race report). Over three years, this crew has gone from spooning in Lents to Blades in Mays. And while this is a major accomplishment, it feels like just the beginning of the greatness Eddies is capable off. The Eagles are off to celebrate and will see you next year! Day 1 - The first day of Bumps saw the return of the Beef Barge, debuting as the sandwich boat between Divisions 2 and 3. Our first race was from Station 1 of Division 2, being chased by Queens’ M2. The boys put in a good fight against Queens’ who eventually got bumped by Magdalene M2 leaving us to settle into a rate 19 paddle to the finish, warranting some high praise from CamFM. Our second race was at the bottom of Division 2, chasing Clare M2. After an incredible start and huge determination from the boys, we caught Clare within 750m, Eddie’s Men’s first Lent term bump in recent memory!
Day 2 - Rest day. Day 3 - After a day of rest, the Beef Barge returned ready to bump FaT M2, chased by sandwich boat Magdalene M2. With another excellent race start, we pulled away from Magdalene and closed on FaT by half a length before carnage ensued ahead. Alannah having to slam rudder, carnage also ensued inside the boat and eventually we were caught by Magdalene M2 and returned as the sandwich boat. Day 4 - M1 were back and determined for another rower and bump scenario. First race of the day and Eddie’s had an incredible row over. It looked like Clare M2 were going to return the favour and bump us, but determination from the boat meant that we prevailed and Clare M2 got bumped by Fitz M2. From then on, Queens’ M2 went for the over bump but the Beef Barge didn’t give up and raced it all the way to the finish - definitely one of the more exciting races we’ve done. Back to the bottom of Div 2 chasing Magdalene M2 for the next race. Unfortunately more carnage up ahead and we had to hold it up, resulting in both crews getting a technical row over and ruining our chances of playing the long game and bumping them on the reach. Day 5 - Last minute cox change due to me being struck by illness. The incredible Shannon took over at the P&E after bumping with W1. Again, we were going for a row over, knowing it would be a tough job against Fitz M2 who were going for blades. The boys put in a good fight but eventually got bumped - Fitz, you’re welcome for the blades. Day 1 – Chasing Christ’s II, Chased by Trinity Hall II – Result: Bumped (-1)
Eddies were keen beans being the first crew of the day to row past headquarters earning them a cheer from CUCBC still setting up their tent. Perhaps a little nervous as it was the first bumps race for three of our rowers, we marshalled underneath the dreaded A14 bridge next to the cannon. After many failed attempts to locate the ring for the bung, a brave CUCBC member held onto the chain as we were pushed off. At the cannon, Eddies put up a good chase to Christ’s II but Christ’s II were able to bump Emma III just before first post corner. Having to swing wide to avoid the clearing boats, Tit Hall II snuck up behind the Eagles, able to take the direct path. Eddies did a valiant effort of holding Tit Hall off through the gut putting on a burst of speed down plough reach. Unfortunately, Tit Hall II caught Eddies as we turned onto the reach. Three cheers to Trinity Hall II who ended their bumps campaign with blades! Day 2 – Chasing Trinity Hall II, Chased by Clare Hall - Result: Bumped (-1) Rallying from their bump yesterday, W1 was now further from the cannon but with a proper ring in the ground for their bung. Preparing for a hard race, Eddies sped off at the cannon fire. Tit Hall II slipped away quickly bumping Emma III ahead of them. Clare Hall managed to catch up to Eddies around first post corner, bumping us in the gut. Three cheers to Clare Hall who also ended their bumps campaign with blades! Day 3 - Rest day Day 4 – Chasing Clare Hall, Chased by St. Catherine’s II – Result: Row Over (0) After two disappointing days, Eddies returned rested for Day 4. The action happened around Eddies today. Speeding off at the cannon, Clare Hall quickly bumped Emma III in front of Eddies and behind Addies caught Cats II after missing them the day before. As Eddies rowed past the plough, they were miles ahead of the last racing boat and settled into a strong r26 to finish the 2.6km course. This row over was some of the strongest rowing W1 had done all term and, in the words of our president: “Rowing is fun again.” The Eagles were back! Day 5 – Chasing Emmanuel III, Chased by Addenbrooke’s – Result: BUMP! (+1) After the clean row over the day before, Eddies were ready to turn their campaign around. At the cannon, Eddies started their hunt for Emma III in what would turn out to be a short chase with coach Matt blowing the first whistle halfway down first post reach. Keeping each stroke long and maintaining control on their slides coming forward, Eddies caught Emma just before the corner awarding W1 their first Lent bump since the pandemic! With three cheers to Emmanuel III, Eddies rowed back with greenery in their hair. Now with a true understanding of the chaos that is bumps, the Eagles are keen to train over the break, get those UT2 miles in, push for those watts, and come back in Easter stronger than ever. The road to May bumps begins now! The authentic eye (and ear) witness account of how St. Edmund’s House College won its first oar14/2/2024 It was an absolute treat to receive this first hand account recalling the escapades of the 1975/76 crew and their successful blades campaign (back when St. Edmund's college was St. Edmund's House).
In the year of our Lord 1975, or indeed in any year preceding the year of our Lord, 1975, St. Edmund’s House College (henceforth referred to as St. Eddies) did not have a crew on the river. Or rather, to be more precise, St. Edmund’s had a boat that rowed on the river, but that boat was not allowed to row in the May Bumps. That may have been a good thing as it was leaky old tub commonly dubbed the “BA Ordinary.” In order to attain such a privilege, a crew would have had to endure a horrific ordeal, i.e. the May Bumps Getting-On Race (MBG-0R) to determine if such crew was worthy. St. Eddies (quite rightly at the time) deemed itself unworthy, or at least knew full well that we would not meet the challenge. Technically, MBG-0R is described as follows: We were now at the head of our division (the bottom division, that is) and only needed to not get run up into the trees ourselves. Things were going smoothly until our coach, Mr. Bruce Elsmore, could be heard shouting, “Number 5, reach out; lean back.” Then silence from our leader; then, “Keep it up; keep it up.” The unlikely occurred. The seat upon which the able bottom of number 5 resided broke. It froze up. It would not move and number 5 wound up sitting on the rails, manfully trying to keep the pace with the other crew members. ¡Non pasarán! And no one did pass. We won our oar. The banquet was a huge success. Monsieur Demers was carried into the hall (he could not walk on his own; the drinking had been going on for hours). The Master, beaming, mumbled appreciative words. Our Captain was singled out for praise for without his wiles, we would not have been in the Bumps at all. Mr. Elsmore was lauded for turning us into a passable [4] crew. Mesch’s leadership, Tyndal’s steady hand, Stoeger’s calm assurance, Barratt’s style, Halliday’s experience and Hauck’s strength were enthusiastically lauded. Macy’s ample foundation and stubborn doggedness were gratefully recognized as well. [1] This account is by an American. All spelling and grammar are correct (for an American).
[2] An excellent sherry for those who like a true aperitif. Indeed, the words “cream” and “sherry” should not even enjoy a nodding acquaintance. Cream is for cakes. [3] Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs http://www.cucbc.org/mays/gor [4] More accurately, perhaps, “unpassable.” W1: Rowover (+0)
On day 4 Eddie’s W1 were chasing Newnham to reclaim their favourite station 7 under the motorway bridge. Chased for a third time but Catz II, Eddie’s Eagles left them in the dust but were unable to catch the formidable Newnham and rowed over for a third day. Ending up on -1 the women were happy with their performance and eager to reclaim station 7 next year. M1: Bumped (-1) Concluding their eventful bumps campaign, the M1 Spice Boys were chasing Sidney M1 and looked to get them back for their bump on Day 1. With a strong start, the Spice Boys reached within striking distance Sidney, only for the speedy Jesus M2 to catch them before they could secure the bump. Ending the campaign - 6, the Spice Boys will be starting next year eager to improve. Nonetheless, they did well, displaying incredible spirit and endurance in the face of unexpected challenges. We commend both crews for their dedication and hard work over the last few months and for demonstrating their commitment to the club and the college. We are confident that they will be back stronger next year W1: bumped by Newnham W3 (-1)
On day 3 the W1 Eagles were in full spirits as the first bump of the campaign approached after 2 days of row overs. Sandwiched between a catch-able Emmanuelle III in front, and a speedy Newnham III behind, the race was going to be an exciting one. After a speedy race start the women quickly got a whistle (within one boat length of Emma), then 2 whistles (within half a boat length of Emma), all whilst keeping Newham a station (1.5 boat lengths) behind them. The Eagles kept this distance for around a kilometre. When they rounded onto the reach however the Newnham crew sped up, and after another 500 meters caught the exhausted Eddie’s crew. An impressive display of effort from the women, they are left vengeful, and ready to reclaim station 7 tomorrow. They will be chasing Newnham III and will be chased by St. Catharines II. M1: Over-bumped by Downing M2 Starting their row with high spirits, the M1 Spice Boys were looking forward to a good day of racing after having to contend with rigger difficulties in the last two days. Chasing Homerton M1, they exploded off their station with a blistering start that saw them avoid a bump by Sidney M1. Despite putting up a valiant row that saw them get close to Homerton, they were unable to keep the Downing M2 juggernaut at bay and conceded an over bump. Nonetheless, having displayed some of their best rowing this year, the Spice Boys will be looking to return the favour as they chase Sidney M1 on the last day. W1: row-over (+0)
On the first day of bumps, the W1 Eagles flew down the full length of the bumps course hunting Hughes Hall W1. After gaining a little ground with a speedy race start, the Eagles maintained a station (1.5 boat lengths) for the majority of the bumps course. The Eagles were chased by St. Catharine’s W2, who flew at them off the start and then dropped several boat lengths by the end of the reach. All three crews ‘rowed over’, i.e didn’t bump or get bumped, and so the Eagles, perpetually station 7 (and next to the canon) will have a repeat of today’s race tomorrow, but with renewed confidence after significantly holding off Catz and keeping up with Hughes down the whole course. M1: Bumped (-1) Concluding an eventful first day of bumps, the M1 Spice Boys are one down after giving Sidney M1 a tough challenge. Facing a snapped Rigger right before the start of the race, the Spice Boys' hopes of racing were kept alive by the heroic actions of wonder bank party Robert, which saw him race to and from the boat house to perform an emergency re-rigging operation just as the 4-minute cannon went off. Rigger fitted and crisis averted, the Spice Boys kept Sidney M1 away for a significant while before conceding a bump to them. All things considered, the Spice Boys are raring to go and will be looking to return the favour to Sidney tomorrow. It was an exciting Lent Bumps for St Edmund's, with our crews braving hail, snow and strong currents to produce solid rowing throughout the week.
Despite getting bumped early, M1 fended off a speedy Downing M2 and finished the week strong. W1 had consistently strong performances throughout the week, rowing over and coming out with a commendable +0 overall. Although M2 and W2 failed to qualify in the getting-on race, they showed fantastic progress, giving us high hopes for May Bumps. Congratulations to all our rowers and coaches on an incredible showing! There's definitely more to come for Mays. |
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