It was inspired by the immense interest generated by a 1987 charity event in which the famous Doggett's Coat & Badge winners from The Company of Watermen & Lightermen rowed its shallop, or passenger barge, from Hampton Court to The Tower of London.

The idea that emerged was to find the UK Traditional Boat Champions by issuing an all-comers challenge to beat the Doggett's men - racing on a handicap basis. Entries were restricted to traditional-style, coxed craft powered by a minimum of four oars or paddles. And, in keeping with the Company's historic responsibility to apprentice and licence Watermen to carry passengers on the tidal Thames, each boat had to carry a passenger.

To give all crews an equal chance, entrants were handicapped according to the calculated potential performance of their boats. This was done on a scientific basis, using naval architects' calculations and a sophisticated computer programme. And, to add spice to the contest, it was to be run on a 'slowest away first, fastest last' pursuit basis, with every boat individually timed over the course. Despite a start line handicap period of well over an hour, some close racing was expected - and achieved.

The winners on handicap would hold, for one year, the handsome Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen - featuring a mounted original Watermen's badge - issued to William Savage of Gravesend in 1803. Trophies were presented to the winners of six other classes, while a fund was established to enable cash prizes to be paid direct to the successful entrants' nominated charities.