Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1 What is the closing date for entries?
2 I want to take part but don't have a boat; can I hire one?
3 We want to enter but we're concerned about conditions at the Start.
4 I can't see how to enter women's, mixed, juniors' or veteran's classes; what do I do?
5 We should qualify for an age related class but the Review Classes screen suggests we don't?
6 I want to enter now, but don't know my final crew complement; what should I do?
7 I've entered and paid but need to make some changes; what do I do?
8 Do I get a receipt, order confirmation or invoice when I pay via WorldPay?
9 Is paying using the WorldPay service safe?
10 Does the Race keep my credit/debit card details as a result of an on-line purchase?
11 How can I check the classes I've entered?
12 What is the policy on refunds?
13 I'm trying to enter but am experiencing problems; what do I do?
14 We have disabled members on board but I can't see how to enter the disabled class?
15 I would like to follow the Race from the Start, all the way to the Finish, is this possible?
16 From where does the spectator boat leave?
17 What is the easiest way of returning to central London?
18 Does racing upriver mean rowing/paddling against the tide?
19 Our crew is staying at the Finish and would like to launch the boat on Friday evening and request a tow down to the Start. How do we go about this?
20 We are staying at the Finish on Friday night, how do we get to the Start on Saturday morning?
21 We are staying in London as opposed to Richmond; what are our options for returning back to town after prize giving?
22 We are staying at the Finish but we would like to take our boat to the Start ourselves; what is the best way to go about this?
23 What are the dates of future Great River Races?

Q1: What is the closing date for entries?

A: Wednesday, August 29th at 12:00. But remember 'Early Bird' reduced rates apply until May 20th.

Q2: I want to take part but don't have a boat; can I hire one?

A: Yes; go to 'Boats' and click 'Boat Packages'.

Q3: We want to enter but we're concerned about conditions at the Start.

A: No need to be; the river in the marshalling area on the inside of the Isle of Dogs bend is calm and very slow moving even at the height of the flood, so should not present any problems. Once under way, the going does get rougher but fresh crews should find it manageable.

Q4: I can't see how to enter women's, mixed, juniors' or veteran's classes; what do I do?

A: All classes relating to gender and age will be entered automatically when you have completed your crew list.

Q5: We should qualify for an age related class but the Review Classes screen suggests we don't?

A: You must enter the Date of Birth of all rowers/paddlers if you want to be considered for age related classes.

Q6: I want to enter now, but don't know my final crew complement; what should I do?

A: Register, enter and pay for the total number in your boat; you then have until August 29th to complete your crew list to ensure your details are published in the programme.

Q7: I've entered and paid but need to make some changes; what do I do?

A: The system closes for new entries on Wednesday, August 29th at 12:00. Beyond that point you will be able to log in and make some changes which we will endeavour to reflect in the Race results should they impact the class allocations of the entry, but we cannot guarantee the changes will be included in any of the Race day printed material, e.g. the programme or the Runners & Riders list. Furthermore changes to crew list personnel may incur an additional charge if a Race certificate is required by the late entrant. To make changes now, click here Update an existing entry.

Q8: Do I get a receipt, order confirmation or invoice when I pay via WorldPay?

A: You will receive a summary email from WorldPay to confirm your credit/debit card has been debited for the total amount of the purchase, and a separate email invoice from us which will list in detail what you have bought from us. Please note tickets will not be issued for Race day services (camping, bus, passenger boat), so please ensure everyone in you party is aware of the purchaser's name as they will be asked for this before they can use any booked services. 

Q9: Is paying using the WorldPay service safe?

A: WorldPay is part of The Royal Bank of Scotland Group, the 5th biggest banking group in the world, and their secure payment solutions are trusted by thousands of businesses, big and small. For more information on WorldPay and payment security, please click here.

Q10: Does the Race keep my credit/debit card details as a result of an on-line purchase?

A: No, when you are ready to pay, the Great River Race passes control of the transaction over to WorldPay who complete the payment process on their own secure servers. The Race is only informed if the transaction has been successful or not, we are not passed any credit/debit information back from WorldPay.

Q11: How can I check the classes I've entered?

A: When you have completed your crew list, click 'Review' and it will be provided automatically.

Q12: What is the policy on refunds?

A1: BEFORE Wednesday, August 29th at 12:00 ~

ENTRIES, CRANE AND TOWS: we will refund your fees in full less a 10% administration charge;

BUS, CAMPING, PASSENGER BOAT TICKETS: full refund less 10% administration charge;

BOAT PACKAGES: only the entry fee element less a 10% administration charge will be refunded unless we can resell the Package.

A2: AFTER Wednesday, August 29th at 12:00 ~

ENTRIES, CRANE AND TOWS: we will refund your fees in full less a 20% administration charge;

CAMPING: full refund less 20% administration charge;

BUS AND PASSENGER BOAT: At the discretion of the Great River Race, a full refund less a 20% administration charge;

BOAT PACKAGES: only the entry fee element less a 20% administration charge will be refunded.

Q13: I'm trying to enter but am experiencing problems; what do I do?

A: Use the Contact Us template to leave us a message and we will get straight back to you.

Q14: We have disabled members on board but I can't see how to enter the disabled class?

A: Use the Contact Us template to leave us a message and we will get straight back to you.

Q15: I would like to follow the Race from the Start, all the way to the Finish, is this possible?

A: Yes, you can buy tickets for the Passenger Boat which we run to follow the Race.

Q16: From where does the spectator boat leave?

A: 'Viscount' leaves from Masthouse Terrace Pier which is a short walk from the Race Start and public transport connections. It will board from 9:25 hours and leave promptly at 9:55 hours. Check out the Services Information page for more details.

Q17: What is the easiest way of returning to central London?

A: 'Viscount' will leave the Finish at 18:30 hours to return to Westminster Pier. See the Services Information page for more details or to buy passenger boat tickets.

Q18: Does racing upriver mean rowing/paddling against the tide?

A: No, all crews will have the assistance of the prevailing flood tide on their way to the Finish.

Q19: Our crew is staying at the Finish and would like to launch the boat on Friday evening and request a tow down to the Start. How do we go about this?

A: You can request a tow down to the Start from your Entry Maintenance menu when you click on Update Entry. The boats will be towed very early Saturday morning in order for them to be at the Start when you arrive. The cost is £70 per boat; when you have made your towage request we will contact you with full details.

Q20: We are staying at the Finish on Friday night, how do we get to the Start on Saturday morning?

A: We currently have two options for travelling to the Start on Saturday. A bus service will leave from the Lensbury Hotel, Teddington and another from the campsite. Both will leave at 9am in order to have competitors at the Start in time for Registration. Tickets for these cost £11.50 and can be booked by clicking on 'Services' on our web site.

Q21: We are staying in London as opposed to Richmond; what are our options for returning back to town after prize giving?

A: There will be a service leaving from Ham Street Car Park returning to the Start with stop offs at Waterloo and Liverpool Street Stations. This will leave the Finish at 22.30 and tickets are available to buy; see Services.

Q22: We are staying at the Finish but we would like to take our boat to the Start ourselves; what is the best way to go about this?

A: The easiest way to go about this would be to take your boat to the Start on Friday evening and leave it on the slipway ready for launching on Saturday morning; overnight security and boat trolleys will be provided. This way you can take the trailer back to Ham ready for easy recovery on either Saturday evening or Sunday morning and you can enjoy the Friday night BBQ. An alternative would be to take your boat down to the Start on Saturday morning but as parking will be severely restricted and no security in place when the Race has started, we recommend you take your trailer away immediately after launching.

Q23: What are the dates of future Great River Races?

A:

  • 2012 September 15, Start 10.30
  • 2013 September 7, Start 12.15
  • 2014 September 27, Start 12.05
  • 2015 September 12, Start 10.05