1867 – Bumping races (Bumpers) begin

Bumping races began in the first season of the Royal Shrewsbury School Boat Club (RSSBC) in 1867.

Since then an uninterrupted annual competition has been held, the results of which are colourfully woven across the walls in the Bowring Room of the Pugh Boathouse.

Over four consecutive days the boat behind tries to catch the boat ahead, thereby swapping places for the next day’s racing. The ambition is to go ‘Head of the River’ and then to fend off all comers.

Racing is started with a countdown; ‘Ropes and Poles’ assistants help to align a crew on its allotted station, and woe betide an ill-aligned crew as the ‘gun’ goes off.

“It was an absolute requirement for the whole House to turn out and run along the bank in support of its crew and it was quite a sight to see 400-500 boys all screaming encouragement accompanied by all the Housemasters and coaches with megaphones streaming along the grassy banks of the Quarry.” (J.R.B. Dixey, M 1935-40)

Emotions run high in the counter-claims of results. One Housemaster was famously banned by the Impartial Committee (who judicate on appeals against results) from attending subsequent days’ racing.

Photo: Bumpers chart 1882-1900 - Bumpers records have been kept since races began in 1867. [to be sourced]

Photo: c. 1910 – Housing the winning boat - It is difficult to watch the housing of the Head of the River boat on the last night of the Bumping Races without getting a slight thrill… The craft is lifted high out of the water and slowly on the tips of many fingers it is taken on uncertain, but triumphal fashion to its rack… On the way everyone must touch it for luck.” (J.M. West)

Photo: Bumpers 1914

Photo: 1921 – Physical bumps occasionally produced a sinking! (Boats no longer physically bump one another.)

Photo: 1932 – The starting order was recorded by a string of fluttering pennants bearing the House colours, diagonally striped for First House boats, vertical for Second and horizontal for Third, hoisted by the Boatman and altered daily as fortunes fluctuated.