How Do You Spell BUMPS RACE?

Pronunciation: [bˈʌmps ɹˈe͡ɪs] (IPA)

Bumps race is a rowing competition where teams race in a straight line and attempt to bump the boat in front of them by physical contact. The spelling of bumps race can be explained using the International Phonetic Alphabet (IPA) which spells out the sounds in a word. Bumps is pronounced as /bʌmps/ with the ‘u’ being pronounced as ‘uh’ and the ‘p’ being a pop sound. Race is pronounced as /reɪs/, with the ‘a’ being pronounced as ‘ey’ and the ‘s’ being silent. Therefore, the spelling of bumps race is based on the sounds of the words when spoken.

BUMPS RACE Meaning and Definition

1. A "bumps race" is a type of rowing race commonly practiced in collegiate and club-level rowing. It is distinguished by its unique format and rules, which involve teams bumping into each other to determine the winner. The race typically takes place on a narrow river or canal, with each participating crew starting in a single file and rowing in the same direction.

   The objective of a bumps race is for a crew to catch up to and physically "bump" the boat ahead of them. A successful bump occurs when the bow of one boat touches the stern of the boat in front, signaling the end of their race. Once a bump is achieved, both crews come to a stop, and the newly bumped crew moves to the side to allow the remaining crews to continue in a new order.

   The starting positions of the crews are determined by their previous day's performance. The crew that bumped moves up a position and starts ahead of the bumped crew in the next race, while crews that were not bumped stay in their respective positions. This unique format creates an exciting and strategic race as crews aim to both avoid being bumped and aim to make bumps themselves.

   Bumps races traditionally feature a series of races spread over consecutive days, with the overall winner being the crew highest in the final rankings. This challenging and exhilarating rowing format requires tactical skill, speed, and teamwork from the participating crews.

Etymology of BUMPS RACE

The term "bumps race" originates from the sport of rowing, specifically in the context of collegiate rowing races in English-speaking countries like England and the United States. The word "bumps" refers to the racing format where teams start in a single-file line, and each team attempts to catch up to and "bump" (make contact with) the team in front of them, while also avoiding being bumped by the team behind them. This race format often takes place on a narrow river or a section of a river with several teams competing simultaneously.

The term "bumps race" has been used since the late 18th century, with its exact etymology not fully clear. It's believed to have derived from the action of boats physically bumping into each other during the race.