Torpids

Bumping races evolved in Oxford as the river is too narrow for normal side by side racing. Competing crews start the race lined up in order, one behind another, with their coxes holding ropes attached to the bank, with gaps of about 1.5 boat lengths between the bow of one boat and the stern of the one in front. Racing is started by the firing of a cannon.

Crews attempt to progress up their division by hitting ('bumping') the boat in front without being hit by the boat behind, with the ultimate aim of becoming "Head Of The River" i.e. top of the first division. The Head of the River is awarded the Torpids Challenge Cup, presented to the OUBC by President T.C. Edwards-Moss of Brasenose College Boat Club. Once a bump has taken place, the crew whose boat was hit has to continue racing (and is liable to be bumped again) whilst the bumping crew moves to the side. This can lead to a crew moving down several places during a day's racing. This is the principal difference in the rules between Torpids and Summer Eights, where both crews stop racing.

The name 'Torpids' derives from the event's origins as a race for the second boats of the colleges, which were of course slower than the first boats. The status of the event - still adjudged below that of Summer Eights on account of the absence of varsity oarsmen and women - only began to rise at the very end of the nineteenth century, when colleges began to form first boats to compete. Nowadays there is no limit on the number of boats a college may enter, although crews in the last two divisions and crews without a position have to qualify to race by competing in a timed race the preceding Friday, known as 'rowing on'.

Athletes competing in that year's Boat Race, Women's Boat Race or any of the Lightweight University crews at Henley Boat Races may not compete in Torpids, but may compete in Summer Eights.

Double Headship

The double headship winning Oriel Men's and Women's Eights crews in 2006.

The 'Double Headship' is an accolade awarded to any college finishing with both their men's and women's crews at the 'Head of the River'. Oriel College is the only college to have achieved a Double Headship in Torpids, having both men's and women's crews at the Head of the River in both 2006 and 2018. Despite the double headship, only one boat was burnt.

Torpids has been held since 1838. The following gives the colleges that were Head of the River (Head of Torpids) in these years.[3]

• In 1915-19 no races were conducted due to World War I
• In 1941-45 limited races were conducted due to World War II
• 1895, 1963 - No racing due to ice on the river
• In 1986, 1990, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2018 racing was held on fewer than four days
• In 1991, Oriel were penalty bumped four places for training while the river was in flood.
• 2000, 2002, 2007, 2014, and 2020 - No racing due to high stream

Women's division in Torpids have existed since 1978. This was delayed from 1977 when the river was flooded and Torpids was cancelled.[4][5]

• 1977, 2000, 2002, 2007, 2014, and 2020 - No racing due to high stream
• 1986, 1994, 1995, 1998, 2003, and 2018 - racing was held on fewer than four days
• 1990 - A fast stream meant that only informal racing was held.

• Eights Week, a similar event in summer
• Lent Bumps, the equivalent event in Cambridge

• Torpids
• Torpids results
• Oxford Bumps Charts