Oxford & Cambridge Boat race

The Boat Race, also known as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, is one of the most famous rowing competitions in the world. The men’s race began in 1829, with annual events since 1856, except during the World Wars and in 2020 due to the pandemic. The women’s race was introduced in 1927 and became an annual event in 1964. Since 2015, both races have taken place on the same day along the Championship Course, a 4.2-mile stretch of the Thames from Putney to Mortlake in London.

Oxford rows in dark blue, while Cambridge dons light blue. As of 2024, Cambridge has won the men’s race 87 times to Oxford's 81, with one dead heat. Cambridge leads 47 wins to Oxford’s 30 in the women's race. The course's S-shaped path and tidal currents make for a tactical, competitive race, with the crews jostling for the fastest flow of the river. A coin toss before the race determines which side each team rows on, taking into account the bends and tide.

The Boat Race has become a major event, with over 250,000 spectators watching from the riverbanks each year and millions more tuning in via television. Despite attempts to modernize the competition, such as by introducing synchronized electric clocks, the tradition continues, with the races remaining as popular as ever. At the finish, the winning crew is awarded the trophy, and it’s customary to toss the victorious cox into the Thames in celebration.

Head of the River race

The Head of the River Race (HORR) is an annual rowing event on London’s River Thames, where eights race against the clock. It’s part of a series of similar events, including the Schools’, Women’s, and Veterans’ Head races. Held over the 4.25-mile Championship Course, the same route used for the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race, the event runs from Mortlake to Putney with the ebbing tide.

Founded in 1926 by rowing coach Steve Fairbairn, the race aimed to improve winter training for London clubs. Fairbairn believed in the power of distance training, often saying, "Mileage makes champions." His coaching revolutionized rowing, introducing full-body, leg-drive strokes, and sliding seats, which became the norm in racing shells.

The inaugural race saw 21 crews compete despite being held on a Sunday, which almost caused trouble with the Amateur Rowing Association (ARA). After that, the race moved to Saturdays in March, where it’s remained.

Today, HORR attracts top UK and international crews, though only men’s eights can compete. Crews start at 10-second intervals, with the previous year’s winner starting first. The current record time of 16 minutes 28.4 seconds was set by Oxford Brookes University in 2023.

Other rowing events take place on the same course, such as the Women’s Eights Head, Veterans’ Head, and Schools’ Head of the River Race. There are also smaller races for other boat classes, like the Head of the River Fours and the Pairs’ Head, which cover shorter sections of the Thames. The HORR remains one of the rowing calendar's most competitive and prestigious head races.

Doggett's Coat and Badge

Doggett’s Coat and Badge is the world’s oldest continuous rowing race, held annually on the River Thames since 1715. Up to six apprentice watermen compete in this 4-mile, 5-furlong (7.44 km) race from London Bridge to Chelsea’s Cadogan Pier, passing under 11 bridges. Originally raced every August 1st on the ebb tide in traditional passenger boats, it now takes place in September on the flood tide using modern single-sculling boats.

The winner receives a red watermen’s coat with a silver badge featuring the horse of the House of Hanover and the word “Liberty” to honour King George I’s 1714 accession. All competitors who finish also get a miniature lapel badge, and rowing clubs receive monetary prizes, with £1,000 awarded to the winner’s club.

The race was founded by Irish actor and comedian Thomas Doggett, who relied on Thames watermen to ferry him between Chelsea and his work in London. Legend says Doggett created the race to thank a waterman who saved him from drowning, though this has been debunked. In truth, a staunch Whig, Doggett chose August 1st to mark George I’s ascension and celebrated it with this rowing competition.

Doggett financed the race until he died in 1721, after which the Fishmongers' Company, a City of London livery company, took over. Over the years, some details have changed: the race now follows the incoming tide, takes place in September, and uses modern sculls instead of old ferry boats. The race remains open to apprentice watermen in their first, second, and third years of freedom, keeping the centuries-old tradition alive. Winning the Doggett’s Coat and Badge is still considered a prestigious honour among the rowing community.

Great River Race

The Great River Race is an annual rowing competition on the River Thames featuring traditional coxed boats powered by oars or paddles. The 2024 race will take place on Saturday, September 21. Established in 1988, the race covers a 21-mile (34 km) course, originally running downstream from Ham to Greenwich. Since 2009, however, it’s been held upstream, from Greenwich to Ham, taking advantage of the incoming tide.

Open to a variety of boats—like gigs, skiffs, Celtic longboats, dragon boats, and even quirky novelty crafts—the race includes around 300 entries. Every boat must carry a cox, a passenger, and a flag, with rowers and the cox able to switch during the race. Handicapping by class ensures a lively competition, with slower boats starting first.

The event attracts both competitive racers and leisure rowers, much like the water equivalent of the London Marathon. Spectators line the bridges and banks to watch the colourful array of boats pass by, with some rowers even competing in fancy dress.

The Great River Race has seen some memorable moments, like the 2010 challenge between ITN and BBC London News crews. In 2012, Gloriana, the boat commissioned for the Thames Diamond Jubilee Pageant, led the final stretch. Olympians Sophie Hosking and Rob Williams were among those aboard Gloriana, adding a special touch to the 25th edition of the race.

With its mix of serious competition and festive fun, the race offers a unique and vibrant spectacle along the Thames.