Cambridge University students take to boats to celebrate end of exams

Alcohol-fuelled Cambridge University students have taken to the water in cardboard boats to celebrate the end of their exams on ‘Suicide Sunday’. 

Despite the chilly temperatures of 18C today, brave students hopped into makeshift boats to float down the River Cam in honour of the festive and boozy annual tradition.

Teams piled into punts to race down the river, crashing into each other and sending some into the frosty water. 

Several groups ended up in the river, soaked and shivering as they held their precious bottles of wine and beer above the frigid water.

Alcohol-fuelled Cambridge University students have taken to the water in cardboard boats to celebrate the end of their exams on ‘Suicide Sunday’

Despite the chilly temperatures of 18C today, brave students hopped into makeshift boats to float down the River Cam in honour of the festive and boozy annual tradition

Despite the chilly temperatures of 18C today, brave students hopped into makeshift boats to float down the River Cam in honour of the festive and boozy annual tradition

Teams piled into punts to race down the river, crashing into each other and sending some into the frosty water

Teams piled into punts to race down the river, crashing into each other and sending some into the frosty water

But teams struggled to punt in a straight line and crashed into rival teams, causing them to sink

But teams struggled to punt in a straight line and crashed into rival teams, causing them to sink

Several groups ended up in the river, soaked and shivering as they held their precious bottles of wine and beer above the frigid water

Several groups ended up in the river, soaked and shivering as they held their precious bottles of wine and beer above the frigid water

Pictured: Cambridge University students get ready in boats made from cardboard float down the River Cam

Pictured: Cambridge University students get ready in boats made from cardboard float down the River Cam

The students spent the morning fashioning homemade punts and canoes from cardboard, glue and gaffer tape. 

All of the students were attempting to row the course from Jesus Green to Magdalene Bridge in the city but many ended up in the cold water.

Each boat had at least three crew members and some even had nine squeezed into the rafts.

The Sunday immediately after the end of the summer term at Cambridge is known as Suicide Sunday. 

Famed for being a day of carousing and drunken antics, the undergraduates stripped down to shorts and t-shirts for a splash about on the River Cam.

By this date, most students have finished exams but most of the results have not been published, so it is traditionally a period of nerves and suspense. 

 All of the students were attempting to row the course from Jesus Green to Magdalene Bridge in the city but many ended up in the cold water 

 All of the students were attempting to row the course from Jesus Green to Magdalene Bridge in the city but many ended up in the cold water 

The Sunday immediately after the end of the summer term at Cambridge is known as Suicide Sunday

The Sunday immediately after the end of the summer term at Cambridge is known as Suicide Sunday

By this date, most students have finished exams but most of the results have not been published, so it is traditionally a period of nerves and suspense

By this date, most students have finished exams but most of the results have not been published, so it is traditionally a period of nerves and suspense

Many students were seen in fits of laughter as their boats quickly sunk into the frigid waters on Sunday 

Many students were seen in fits of laughter as their boats quickly sunk into the frigid waters on Sunday 

A young man holds onto the side of his soggy boat as he appears shocked by the cold waters 

A young man holds onto the side of his soggy boat as he appears shocked by the cold waters 

The students spent the morning fashioning homemade punts and canoes from cardboard, glue and gaffer tape

The students spent the morning fashioning homemade punts and canoes from cardboard, glue and gaffer tape

Last Monday, several students at the prestigious university celebrated the end of exams by spraying each other in the street with Champagne – despite the tradition being banned by the university.

Excited undergraduates popped bottles in the city centre as they marked the end of the gruelling study period – and the start of their summer holidays.

Residents were spotted dodging around the groups of revellers as they kicked off their end-of-term partying.

Meanwhile university proctors were seen keeping an eye on proceedings, although they did not appear to intervene.

While bottles of Champagne and sparkling wine were favoured by most, others were seen spritzing their peers with rosé and cans of lager.

Some were watched by their parents as they took part in the playful celebration.

 The university banned so-called ‘trashing’, where students throw flour, eggs, milk and alcohol at each other, in 2012.

Last Monday, several students at the prestigious university celebrated the end of exams by spraying each other in the street with Champagne - despite the tradition being banned by the university

Last Monday, several students at the prestigious university celebrated the end of exams by spraying each other in the street with Champagne – despite the tradition being banned by the university

The university banned so-called 'trashing', where students throw flour, eggs, milk and alcohol at each other, in 2012

The university banned so-called ‘trashing’, where students throw flour, eggs, milk and alcohol at each other, in 2012

A student celebrates that his boat is still afloat during Suicide Sunday at Cambridge University today

A student celebrates that his boat is still afloat during Suicide Sunday at Cambridge University today

Spectators line the riverbank to watch the punters race down the river on Sunday 

Spectators line the riverbank to watch the punters race down the river on Sunday 

Pictured: A team fashioning their boat with an impressive mast, complete with a flag and sail 

Pictured: A team fashioning their boat with an impressive mast, complete with a flag and sail 

A team of four men use wet floor warning signs as paddles in the river boat race 

A team of four men use wet floor warning signs as paddles in the river boat race 



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