The great thing to know about punting is, if you have a choice, hang onto the punt and not the pole ...

It is interesting to note that there is an Oxford end and a Cambridge end. We punt from the sloping end, while Cambridge falls off the flat bit.

When punting through the University Parks it is usual for ladies to alight and walk round that part of the river known as Parson's Pleasure. This is reserved for nude bathing by male academics. There is a much-told story of a group of dons being startled by a puntload of ladies. They all rushed to cover the less acceptable parts of their anatomy with their hands - except one, who covered his face instead. In reply to the remonstrations of the others he said "I cannot answer for the rest of you, but I felt it important to cover that part of me by which I am most easily recognised."