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The River Cam starts from Ashwell, Hertfordshire and moves northward towards Cambridge. It then flows into Fens and then into Ely and King's Lynn where it joins the sea. During its early beginnings, Cambridge relied on this river since it connects with King's Lynn, which used to be the busiest port in England. Through this river, goods traveled to Cambridge which contributed to its robust economy. The most popular part of the River Cam is called The Backs, which got its name from the number of colleges that were constructed on the riverbanks. It stretches for a mile and surrounding it are some of the finest architectural styles in all of England. Along it are nine bridges and eight colleges, including King's College and its famous chapel, Queens' College and the Mathematical Bridge, and St. Johns and the Bridge of Sighs. Similar to other rivers, the Cam is used for several kinds of recreational activities such as punting. By taking a guided punt or by engaging in the activity on your own, you will definitely see a lot of the city of Cambridge since the river meanders through it. After punting, you may opt for a quick stop on the riverbanks for some rest and relaxation. A punt is basically a narrow boat that is flat-bottomed. It bears a resemblance to a Venetian gondola except that it has no curve. A punt generally accommodates up to five persons with one of them standing at the rear of the punt and propelling it using a long pole. The design of the punt was made during the medieval period. It is ergonomic and allows for a smooth navigation in waters with shallow parts. Before, punts were mainly used for commercial fishing but now they are utilized only for recreation. Punting may, at first, look very easy and effortless. For the passengers, it may be relaxing since they can sit down, relax, and enjoy the scenery. However, the one who is steering may find that Cambridge punting is not as easy as it looks. The pole may get stuck if the bottom is particularly muddy. If this happens, he/she should just let go of the pole especially is he/she is inexperienced at steering. Otherwise, the person might just get tossed across the punt as he/she struggles to remove the stuck pole. Unless you are remarkably skilled and possess an innate talent at punting, your first few attempts at it will probably not be as successful. It might even seem funny and be a source of entertainment for some onlookers on the riverbanks. But don't fret. Getting the hang of it won't take such a long time and you might even find yourself enjoying while still learning how to do it.
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