The Great River Race Course

Competing crews arrive, register and prepare their boats for the launch and of course the Race. There is continuous commentary throughout.

Our starter fires the maroon to start the first of the 300-odd crews. All crews are given a handicap to balance the field and the slowest are away first.

A great favourite with spectators who love to watch crews fighting for position as they approach its majestic arch. The leading crews provide the waterfront crowds with the start of spectacular racing.

Unpredictable currents give crews a tough challenge and they must dig deep at this point. The large crowds in central London see hours of first-class racing as the competition heats up.

With Lambeth Palace on the left and the Houses of Parliament behind them, the crews have to concentrate to avoid distraction by London’s iconic buildings.

Approaching the halfway point and the crews have now received maximum assistance from the incoming tide. The riverside promenades make excellent vantage points.

While the best crews in the slower boats are still leading the fleet, the more powerful crews in the faster craft are beginning to show their speed and move through the field.

While the head of the Race is now two thirds of the way home, the end of the fleet has just cleared central London.

Tricky currents around the Dove Pier just above the Bridge will test tiring crews and weary coxes.

With around an hour to go, speculation mounts as to whether those low-handicap boats which have led the fleet for so long will be able to hold on to their advantage or be overwhelmed.

Now racing against a semi-rural backdrop, the faster dragonboats, Waterman Cutters, Pilot Gigs and Celtic Longboats are beginning to show their superior pace and feature in the top twenty.

Richmond’s riverside spectators cheer on the crews as they pass through the Bridge. With 35+ trophies up for grabs, crews must draw on their last reserves to vie for a winning spot.

Our Race winner crosses the line to a cannon broadside, rousing applause, and the prospect of receiving The Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen and becoming the UK Traditional Boat Champions in the process.