 What is Torpids? Torpids is a bumping race held on the Isis in Oxford over 4 days usually on the 7th week of Hilary term (around the beginning of March). Crews start lined up with about 1.5 boat lengths between them. After a canon is fired, the crews attempt to catch ("bump") the boat in front of them. When a bump occurs the bumped crew keeps racing while the bumping one stops to the side of the river.  Wolfson M1 crew on the bungline in 2010 (photo by Darren Morofke) The aim is to bump up in the rankings to finish at the top of the first division: "Head of the River". The rankings carry on from year to year, with the starting order of one year being based on the finish order of the previous year. Crews who manage to bump on every single one of their races during the 4 days are awarded blades: The crew members have the right to buy a blade painted to their college's colours and showing and their names and their college's crest. |
Wolfson and St. Cross blades |