Lent Bumps 2011: W1 blade again, W2 spoons :(

In conditions very different to last year’s Lent Bumps (last year, some of us were shivering under space blankets in the snow while marshalling at Chesteron), MECBC had TWO boats in this year’s Lent Bumps. For some of W1 and all of W2, it was their first ever bumps so everyone was buzzing in the build up to the week long event. We had friends and supporters cheering us on from the towpath and while listening to the coverage/following bumps on The Tab

W1 started Lent Bumps at the station in front of the cannon. 

For me, the first day was like this:

Mark – “[counting down] … 10, 9, 8, 7, 6, 5…. “

Guy who sets off the cannon – “Cover your ears…”

*dazed, ringing ears, pain*

Me: “DRAW 1….”

The pain did subside, we all got back on it and it was all worth it when we bumped Jesus II. We came together and improved day after day – sitting taller, prouder amongst the other boats. For those of us that were in the W1 crew last Mays, the second day’s bumping of Sidney was sweet, with them having prevented us from blading then. There was some some fine, wonderfully sat, chunky paddling down to our station especially on Thursday prior to the LMBC bump. Perfect accompaniment to the glorious weather! However, we also enjoyed our fair share of hairy moments – incredibly choppy water prior to bumping Sidney at Grassy corner and “the hand in the water” and nearly letting Emma II get away on the final day come to mind! When the bump came, we definitely felt that we deserved it. The faces we all pulled, the panic we all felt at various points over the week was all worth it as we bumped them just outside the Plough in front of an applauding audience. And we went home to baked goods courtesy of parents and Reana – thank you so much, we thoroughly enjoyed them!

W2 started off well but the now-infamous mounting the bank resulting in the snapping of the bow and the death of Harald on the first day was a huge stroke of bad luck for our girls. Bomber (who was there with Peterhouse II) thankfully gaffer taped it back together so Stern 4 could row home (which some have since dubbed the “row of shame”) with Bow 4 walking on the towpath. The rest of bumps was rowed in wonderful Winston. With very few of the actual W2 crew available for the whole week, there was a lot of crew shuffling but everyone just got with it and really came together. They say though that good crews all go up 3 and luck gets you blades – a crew who breaks a boat on the first day must be one of the most unlucky crews. W2, keep up the good work – you must have caught the bug now!

I’ve forgotten just how exciting bumps is, we’re all driven quite literally by the thrill of the chase. I can’t wait for the Mays! We’ll definitely have two boats again so W1, let’s keep it up and get back to where we belong, W2, let’s bounce straight back and bump the crews in front hard.

A HUGE well done to everyone who took part and a special thank you to all you girls who subbed for the crews! I loved every second.

Akiko