A movement has been started in protest against Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs’ (CUCBC) decision to maintain the smaller number of rowers who participate in Lent Bumps, which was reduced last year by one division. The ‘Save Lent Bumps’ Facebook page, which now has over 1,500 ‘likes’, states that the loss equates to two-thirds of the Men’s Fourth Division and one third of the Women’s Third Division.

In protest, the group has called on members of the rowing community who are not represented by club captains, such as coaches, boatmen and alumni, to sign an open letter expressing dissatisfaction at the move. A petition has also been started, and has gained almost 300 signatories in 48 hours.

The open letter, addressed to the CUCBC committee, reads: “We do not feel that there has been a sufficiently strong reason given for this decision, and that it will have a negative impact on Cambridge College rowing.

“[…]Taking away one of the main motivations for lower boats to continue rowing, will not persuade them to train harder to raise standards, it will cause many of them simply not to bother at all. The removal of the bottom of the rowing pyramid will eventually lead to a knock on effect in the first boats of the colleges and a general decline in standards overall.”

Last year there was a significant reduction in boats for Lent Bumps but it was accepted by many boat clubs due to the significant amount of traffic on the Cam caused by maintenance work on a bridge at a crucial bend. The impact of the subsequent traffic light system meant that a rule of a maximum of two boats per club at any one time was enforced. Training this year, however, has not suffered from the same level of traffic on the river.

Several captains of college boat clubs have asked to meet and discuss the issue. One college boat club captain, who asked not to be named, stressed that a lot of unhappiness stemmed from the lack of communication between CUCBC and college boat clubs.

There has been no college captain vote on the issue this year. Instead, the move was announced at the first meeting of term.

The current Lent Bumps starting order, as listed on the official CUCBC website, lists three divisions for Men’s Crew and two divisions for Women’s Crew, with a ‘Getting-On Race’ for both. The ‘Getting-On Race’ will be far more competitive this year than has been the case in previous years, as there are far fewer places for crews. According to ‘Save Lent Bumps’, one division has experienced a cut of more than 150 people.

Cambridge Lent Bumps are a series of rowing races where boats chase each other in a single file and attempt to ‘bump’ the boat ahead before the boat behind catches up. It precedes the more famous May Bumps. Over the past decade, the number of divisions has been reduced sizeably.

The petition ‘Save Lent Bumps’ argues that CUCBC has attempted to decrease the number of accidents by “reducing the ability of athletes to compete, instead of taking positive steps to improve learning and capability.” The petition's organisers argue that “This will do nothing for safety and will make the Lents races even less exciting than they already are, reducing the overall participation rate in college rowing.

“After all, why row in Lent term in the freezing cold if you can't even do bumps?”

The CUCBC constitution states that its objective is to act in “the best interests of the development of Cambridge College rowing” and should “take into account the wishes of the College Clubs.” Those behind the current outcry dispute that the cuts to the division are acting in contravention of this.

A spokesman for Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC) told Varsity: “The decision to retain the Lent Bumps at last year's size, with one division fewer than previous years, was taken with the knowledge of College captains and supported by CUCBC's Senior and Executive Committees. This will assist in the safe running of the event whilst allowing for six divisions of racing, featuring more than 900 students, to take place. The committees will review this decision year on year.” 

The impact of the CUCBC’s decision on the standard and safety of rowing remains to be seen over the coming competition and succeeding years.