Information about the Event

FRIENDS:

Feel free to bring your friends, and/or your children (over 10 years old, please)

DRIVERS:

There should be enough of us with punting experience to provide muscle-power (ooo-er!), but I hope everyone will have a go. It's not difficult once you have mastered a couple of simple rules. However, if you just want to lie back and think of England, that's OK, too!

LUNCH:

There are some pubs, and a tea room, at Grantchester, but from past experience there are usually long queues, so it will be far better to bring your own picnic stuff and drinks. One person usually brings along a wind up gramophone but do feel free to bring along mp3 players and speakers though, if you don't mind, adapt the music to the style of the 1920's-1940's please to create a relaxing atmosphere.

LATE ARRIVALS:

It is not possible to reserve punts. It's first come, first serve, and if the weather is good, there's likely to be a big demand. This why I have suggested meeting no later than 09:30am. If anyone is *definitely* going to come, but knows they will be late, it might be possible for someone to hire a punt and sit in it until you arrive. But it will have to be paid for from the time it is hired, and it means you may be separated from the main flotilla.

If you are going to be *very* late, you could join us at the picnic site at Grantchester. There *may* be spare room in the punts for you to return to Cambridge with us, and

COSTS:

The current 'on the day' rate is £90 which will be £15 for each occupant and that is regardless of whether you travel one way or go all the way! There is a cheaper advance booking of £80 but that takes a gamble with the weather. You may choose to pay by the hour but as this is £18 this may not be such a good option.

MESSAGE BOARD:

http://dizzyqueen.net/index.php

Please do join as this is the main portal for all future information

MEETING PLACE:

Scudamores is in Granta Place off from the Silver Street Bridge near the Garden House Hotel. It is a good idea to be there no later than 09:30 for a 10:00 start to avoid disappointment. Parking can be difficult though most seem to park in nearby Queens Road There will be a picnic in Grantchester meadows and the first there chooses the spot for others

... and finally:

TIPS FOR VIRGIN PUNTERS:

1. Stand on the flat platform at the back of the punt. It's much more difficult if you stand in the well of the punt.

2. Try to stand at an angle to the line of the punt, or sideways facing the bank. This is much easier than standing facing forwards.

3. Drop the pole into the river close to the side of the punt, level with your feet. If you're right handed, normally use the right hand side of the punt, and vice versa.

4. If the punt is stationary, drop it in at a slight angle pointing backwards, so you can start the boat moving forward.

5. If the punt is already moving forward, drop it in vertically - by the time it touches the bottom it will be pointing backward, enabling you to thrust the boat forwards.

6. You can usually feel the nature of the river bottom through the pole. If it feels crunchy, you have a hard bottom and should be able to push as hard as you like.

7. Never thrust hard into a soggy bottom! Your pole may stick in the mud, and then you have a crucial decision - whether to hang onto the pole and end up in the river, or to abandon your pole in a cowardly manner, and keep yourself dry.

8. If your pole does stick, it sometimes helps to twist it as you try to pull it out.

9. After each thrust, let your pole hang out floating in the water behind you. You can then use it as a rudder to steer the punt. To turn the punt to the right, move the back end of the pole to the right and vice versa. Sometimes it helps to rest the pole on your hip to act as a pivot.

10. Unless you are skilled at steering, when you've got the punt pointing in the right direction, move the rudder (pole) in the opposite direction to stop the punt turning. Wait until the punt is travelling in a straight line before making the next thrust. If the punt is still rotating, your thrust will just make it rotate more!

11. Discourage your passengers from trying to help you by using the paddle. This makes your job steering the punt more difficult. The paddle should only be used if you get into difficulties - stuck in the river bank, or to paddle back if you lose your pole.

12. Occasionally, you may find you can't reach the bottom with your pole. If you're moving forward, wait until you reach a shallower bit. Otherwise, use the length of the pole as a paddle.

13. At bridges, try to make sure you have enough speed and momentum before you get to the bridge to travel right through.

14. Avoid using your pole close to a bridge. If you use it as you are entering the bridge, you may get the pole stuck against the bridge and have to abandon it. If you use it too soon after you've got through the bridge, some playful spectator on the bridge may grab it!

15. Punting really isn't as difficult as it sounds - you'll soon get the hang of it. And, contrary to all the stories, punters don't often fall in the river!

16. On previous years it is quite common to have groups of kids (and sometimes adults) who think there is nothing funnier than to jump from bridges around Cambridge as close as possible to the punts to soak the occupants or even take poles allowed to stray too close to bridges. A well placed pole can break their fall and discourage previous attempts!

17. Finally, skilled punters *can* punt and drink a glass of wine at the same time!