Saturday, 20 September, saw around 300 crews rowing from Millwall Dock to Richmond – a distance of 21.6 miles. Here below you’ll find a few of the photos I took from Lambeth Bridge and Victoria Tower Gardens to give a flavour of the atmosphere.
The Great River Race *Armada* heads inexorably up the River Thames towards Lambeth Bridge with a crowd leaning over the balustrade to cheer on the rowers.
The race is for ‘fixed seat’ craft only but within that stipulation a large variety of boats can take part, including Thames skiffs, Cornish gigs and the traditional Thames Watermen’s Cutters. Boats are handicapped by class with the slowest boats leaving first.
The race rules state that “each crew must carry a passenger and cox”, as well as a flag, so if watching for any length of time you might see flags from America, Australia, and Europe as well as the British nations, counties, and clubs.
The race was first organised in 1988 when sixty one boats took part. To begin with it was rowed downstream on an ebbing tide but since 2009 it has been rowed upstream on the flood.
The Safety Boat Flotilla
With so many small craft potentially vulnerable to accidents on the river, safety is a top consideration. With some boats leading the head of the race, the safety fleet is spread out along the following procession of competitors, ready to intervene if necessary. Marshalls supervise the race and if for some reason they ask a crew to retire, then their word is law.
RNLI lifeboats and Port of London Authority vessels were also covering the course at various points ready to go into action, if needed.
According to the writer of ‘Conquering the Thames – A Record Breaking Gig Row’: “The atmosphere on the water was electric. With so many boats, the river was alive with movement and excitement.” This was clear from Lambeth Bridge as the boats came forward in their hundreds, crews full of energy and enthusiasm, spurred on by cheers from the crowds.
For sources and further Information
click on the links below.
The Great River Race
Article: The Great River Race Guardians
Article: Thames Pageant – Coronation to Coronation
Film from near Tower Bridge: The Great River Race 2025
Thames Rockets’ Safety Boats
The River Thames Guide to Rowing Clubs