We entered Bumps week 2024 with trepidation. With a start position at the bottom end of Division 1, our bung-line was only one place up from the sandwich boat, putting us at serious risk of that dreaded double-row. But the inevitable moment came, the cannon blasted, and with high adrenaline we raced hard… and, much to our surprise, we closed fast on Cantabs 5. However, Cantabs 5 were also closing hard on Champs 1 … Unfortunately for us, just as we got to half a length, Cantabs 5 made their bump on Champs, and both boats then pulled over. So, we ended up with a strong row over to start the week. (We even closed the gap towards a double overbump.) All our hours of training on the Adelaide Straight paid off: we demolished the 2600m course and proved our ability to hold our own in Division 1.
We entered the next races with steely determination. With our coaches’ mantra “BELIEVE!” top of our minds, we followed our well-rehearsed start sequence and laid it all out on the water. It was very effective! We were thrilled to make bumps on all three remaining evenings, bumping Champs 1 within 400m on night 2, bumping Cantabs 5 in about 750m on night 3, and bumping XPress1 just after 500m on the last night. Our victory rows felt glorious on the summertime Cam, willow in our hair and revelling in it. All the hard work was so worth it.
The secrets of our success? It’s not rocket science:
- Fixed crew since April; we’ve truly got each others’ backs
- Inspiring and devoted coaches, Duncan and Rob
- Gallant Ely cox Ellen, the best on the river (and trained by the best, Victor!) – plus super-sub Christian
- Excellent Filippi eight
- Brilliant bank party and loyal supporters
- The final ingredient: thousands of squats racked up!
What a year for W1!
Next up, the Great Ouse Marathon…
“BELIEVE!”
“I thought they rowed well.” – Victor Bridges (allegedly)
Ely W1, with willow
Ely
9:02 am,
Oct 16, 2026
10°C
light rain
Jason Harre
