A stunning punt?

[Markytop]

Was thinking of going to Cambridge and hiring a Punt to explore the river with the other half. Anyone have any experience or suggestions of what to do/what not to do when punting in Cambridge?

From what I can see, either you hire them around the College Backs, or to go up to Grantchester. Was thinking of taking a picnic and being a proper tourist, so if we stayed around the College Backs are there plenty of places to stop for a picnic, or do we really need to get out of town on the Grantchester bit?

Any ideas to stop me looking a stupid punt in front of the other half would be much appreciated.

[ewenm]

The Grantchester route can be very sticky, so loss of pole is possible if you don;t give it the quick twist to free it. In this situation, DO NOT HOLD ONTO THE POLE - you'll get wet. Every punt has a paddle to be used in emergencies (pole retrival, catastrophic steering error, fending off students, etc). On the plus side there are more opportunities for picnic sites towards Grantchester.

The Backs route will be more crowded but the river bottom is firmer and the banks more solid too. It's also the classic route for sightseeing. Watch out for the low bridges, drunken puntists and the professionals. There are places to picnic along the Backs but they can be crowded at weekends and many bits that look ideal are actually private college land (signs will be up saying so).

Technique - long slow pushes and steer gently at the end of each push. It's best not to be in a hurry too...

Edited by ewenm on Monday 19th July 10:14

[langy]

Go the whole hog and get someone to punt you, while you kick back and enjoy a bottle of bubbly and strawberries

[mybrainhurts]

Watch out for U Boats...

[Sagacitas]

ewenm said:

The Grantchester route can be very sticky, so loss of pole is possible if you don;t give it the quick twist to free it. In this situation, DO NOT HOLD ONTO THE POLE - you'll get wet. Every punt has a paddle to be used in emergencies (pole retrival, catastrophic steering error, fending off students, etc). On the plus side there are more opportunities for picnic sites towards Grantchester.

The Backs route will be more crowded but the river bottom is firmer and the banks more solid too. It's also the classic route for sightseeing. Watch out for the low bridges, drunken puntists and the professionals. There are places to picnic along the Backs but they can be crowded at weekends and many bits that look ideal are actually private college land (signs will be up saying so).

Technique - long slow pushes and steer gently at the end of each push. It's best not to be in a hurry too...

Edited by ewenm on Monday 19th July 10:14

What ewenm said.

On the Backs hire a pro as it gets very crowded and there will be a lot of punts crashing into each other.

Grantchester is a nice route and you can picnic by Grantchester or visit the Orchard for a light lunch, tea, and some nice cakes. But it is a long trip if you are new to punting.

Be prepared, and dress, for falling in. Happens a lot and your response if you do fall in will set the tone for the rest of the day/evening.

Spend more time steering with the pole and less time pushing with it - otherwise you will spend most of your time bouncing off the banks.

Most importantly have fun. Punting on the Cam is one of my favorite activites, assuming I can't get to the coast to surf.

Richard

[Markytop]

Thanks guys, some good info there. I did look at having someone "drive" for us, but part of the appeal is the having a go ourselves. It will be the first time we have punted so thanks for the tips about a) it being a long trip to Grantchester, and perhaps more likely b) falling in

It likely to be a saturday in August when we go, so guess it is best to go early given your comments about it being busy? Any recommendations as to which company to use - many are advertised all at around the same price, so anything to help distinguish between them?

[ewenm]

I tend to use the companies by the Anchor and Mill pubs (Silver Street/Mill Lane).

[Flintstone]

Summer in the Flintstone tribe usually includes a three hour trip on the upper river which is generally quieter. We usually book for three hours which we spend one hour heading out, an hour eating and drinking under a willow then an hour back.

Which reminds me, this year's is due.

[Sagacitas]

Markytop said:

Thanks guys, some good info there. I did look at having someone "drive" for us, but part of the appeal is the having a go ourselves. It will be the first time we have punted so thanks for the tips about a) it being a long trip to Grantchester, and perhaps more likely b) falling in

It likely to be a saturday in August when we go, so guess it is best to go early given your comments about it being busy? Any recommendations as to which company to use - many are advertised all at around the same price, so anything to help distinguish between them?

We always use Scudamores. Pretty professional outfit who have been there for years. Kit is always in good condition as well. But I also buy the season pass, which works out a lot cheaper for multiple trips.

[DangerousMike]

I have been punting once and I hated it. You get stuck in a tiny boat, unable to get out and unable to get to where you want to be at any sensible speed. It is really slow, really boring, and takes a lot of effort to hardly go fast at all. It's possbily the stupidest form of transport I have ever encountered.