The river has long provided an area for serious sport and entertainment within the University. One such pastime is punting – hard work for the person with the pole but lots of lazing about for the passengers. In fine weather this area is full of people in punts, and it is well worth hiring one for yourself to have a go.

Sport at Cambridge takes place at various levels giving you the opportunity to have fun, keep fit, and make new friends, as well as to take part competitively. You might fancy having a go at traditional sports such as football, hockey or tennis, or perhaps something a bit different. With a number of interesting and outrageous sports available, such as Korfball and Ultimate Frisbee, you are not likely to be disappointed. So, remember to bring your trainers!

Just as in other walks of life, Cambridge has produced its fair share of outstanding sportsmen and women – ten current and former students were in the British team at the Beijing Olympics, for instance. If you compete in a sport at the highest University level, you will be entitled to wear what is called a ‘Cambridge Blue’, which on first glance looks more of a green colour. It is actually the colour of the pale blue boat of Cambridge that you might have seen on television during the famous University Boat race against Oxford.

Each June, the University has its own inter-College boat race on the River Cam, the weird and wonderful Bumps races, where nearly twenty boats row down the river and try to physically catch and hit each other. Insane to watch, even more insane to do!