Traditional pursuits in September – part 1
All images courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
On Saturday 16th September the Great River Race will take place in London. Known as London’s River Marathon, over 200 rowing boats of differing designs, race for 21.6 miles from Masthouse Terrace Pier in Millwall to Ham House in Richmond.
It started in 1988 and has grown into a race attracting competitors from across the world. Some are enthusiastic amateurs while others are committed racers, who return annually to try and beat their earlier times and/or to win a trophy.
The rules specify that boats must be moved by oars or paddles only, must have fixed seats and must carry a cox and a passenger, though these two may alternate with any of the rowers, provided they accord with the gender and/or age restrictions of that class. The requirement to carry a cox and passenger is in recognition of the tradition of the Thames Watermen, who were ferry operators and boatmen on the River Thames. Each craft must also carry a flag measuring 3’ by 2’.
”The idea of The Great River Race is to find the UK Traditional Boat Champions. The overall winners receive the Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen of the River Thames. This is a mounted Waterman's Badge, first issued to William Savage of Gravesend in 1803.
The race is open to any traditional-style boat
powered by a minimum of four oars or paddles. Sliding seats and riggers are not
permitted. Each boat must have a cox and, in keeping with the Watermen's
ancient traditional role as the taxi drivers for the Thames, each boat must
carry a passenger.
The optimum speed of all craft competing is calculated by computer and no account is taken of the potential abilities of the crews. Boats leave the start line on a pursuit handicap basis - the slowest first - and the handicap system is calculated so that all boats should cross the finish line at the same time if all crews put in identical performances. Thus it is the crew that extracts the most out of its boat, regardless of type, which emerges as winner. The same principle applies to all handicap classes."
The Great River Race promotes fixed-seat rowing on the Thames and its tributaries and encourages traditional boat building. Many participants use the event as an occasion to race money for charitable causes. It is a colourful day out, with many crews opting to wear fancy dress, and attracts spectators at various points along the course.
Rowing boats ranging from skiffs to barges, and Cornish gigs to dragon boats, race under 28 bridges in hopes of winning a Great Race trophy. There are more than thirty trophies to be won in the various categories, including one for best fancy dress.
