May Bumps 2012

The May Bumps 2012 were a series of rowing races held in Cambridge with crews from the boat clubs of all Cambridge University Colleges and Anglia Ruskin University from Wednesday 13 June 2012 until Saturday 16 June 2012. The races were run as a bumps race and have been held annually in mid-June in this form since 1887. See May Bumps for the format of the races. In 2012, 172 crews took part (103 men's crews and 69 women's crews), with nearly 1550 participants in total.

The timing of the lower divisions on the Saturday was disrupted by a protest on the river and its tow-path by animal rights activists objecting to the removal of an infamous swan, the so-called Mr. Asbo, from the area that had been attacking rowers. Three people were arrested for breaching the peace.

Caius men rowed over well clear of Downing men each day to win their blades and retain the headship they won 2011. As they came also first at the Lent Bumps 2012 they hold the double Headship. They also won both bumps events in 2011.

Downing women rowed-over on each day to hold onto the Head of the River title and win their blades. By winning the Mays they also retain the double Headship having won Lent Bumps 2012. This also their second double headship, having won both bumps events in 2011.

Consecutive double Headships, i.e. that the same Men's and Women's crews have won both the Lent and May Bumps for consecutive years, illustrate how dominant these crews have been on the River Cam. Caius men have now won 11 of the 15 May Bumps from 1998 (and 8 of the Lent Bumps), whilst Downing men's and women's 1st VIIIs have been either 1st (head) or second on the river in Lents or Mays for at least the last 2 years (and up to 6 in the case of the Men in Lents).

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