Cambridge University Combined Boat Clubs (CUCBC), the body responsible for overseeing college rowing in Cambridge, has proposed that college boat clubs be able to opt out of the last two days of May Bumps due to a clash with the Midsummer Fair.

In an email sent to captains, boathouse managers, and senior treasurers last week (23/05), CUCBC recognised that “a number” of people had raised concerns about the two events overlapping.

May Bumps is due to take place from 18/06 until 21/06, with the annual fair taking place from 18/06 until 22/06.

CUCBC explained that, while it does not “propose to cancel racing outright,” several people had raised “very real concerns” about the clash. The body also highlighted the need to “prioritise student safety” on the row towards the startline.

As it would not be “practical” to move the days of racing, CUCBC explained that it would be bringing a proposal to boat club captains, according to which “clubs (not crews) which choose not to race the last two days of Mays 2025 for safety reasons will have their finish positions preserved”.

This would mean that if a crew from a club opting out of the final two days of Bumps was top of its division after day two, it would retain that position without needing to compete in the last two days of the event.

Although this change would need approval from captains, CUCBC is “confident” that there is “a compelling moral case” for it.

CUCBC is also considering moving racing by a “couple of hours” on the Saturday (21/06).

The fair is one of the oldest in England, dating back to 1211. CUCBC acknowledged that “things ran smoothly” the last time the fair clashed with May Bumps “some years” ago.

CUCBC says it has “reached out to the local police and council” to stress “collective concerns” and request “help with patrols,” adding: “We’ve also made contact with the University, who are raising with the local SAG (Safety Advisory Group).”

One rower told Varsity that, during a previous Midsummer Fair, a group of three young people had used “a catapult to fire metal 10mm nuts” at him and his friend while they were putting their boat away after training. He claimed: “One of these nuts hit my leg and drew blood.”

Another rower, commenting on their experience training during past Midsummer Fairs, told Varsity: “Normally it’s manageable; the only thing to look out for is the occasional person throwing stuff at you.”

A college boat captain told Varsity that their club is considering alternative push-off points past Midsummer Common for the safety of the rowers.

One rower told Varsity that they don’t think that CUCBC’s proposal “makes much sense,” suggesting that “it threatens the integrity of the entire system of Bumps racing”.

Another rower said: “Obviously, the safety of the crew is paramount, but the idea of only rowing two out of four days sort of cheapens the achievement of getting blades.” Blades are achieved when a crew “bumps” the crew ahead of it every day.

CUCBC has now asked college boat clubs if they would support moving racing earlier on the Saturday, and if they are considering withdrawing from the final two days of bumps.

A spokesperson for The Showmen’s Guild, the group which runs the Cambridge Midsummer Fair, told Varsity: “We have meetings every year with The Police and SAG that is formed to deal with this event. We have never at any of our meetings had any reports of incidents regarding rowers from any of those involved with the SAG group.”

They added: “To my knowledge this is the first year we have a clash with Bumps; we cannot control anything that happens outside of our perimeter for the event.”

CUCBC was contacted for comment.