2000+ people, rowing down the Thames
I know this is late notice, but it should make for a unique morning our in London. There’s a large rowing regatta Saturday morning on the River Thames called Fuller’s Fours Head of the River Race. Run annually since 1955, the race is over four (very painful) miles long and is exclusively for rowing boats with four people.
I’ll be racing the “Fours Head”, which takes place from Chiswick Bridge to Putney Bridge in Southwest London. This is the exact same course that Oxford and Cambridge have raced each other since the late 1800’s in the annual “Boat Race.” (Oxford and Cambridge race from Putney to Chiswick, where the Fours Head and other regattas race from Chiswick to Putney because of safety and tides on the Thames.) Look for me in the bow-seat (very front) of a yellow boat, which will hopefully be screaming down the river. Or perhaps that will just be me screaming in agony…
Originally I wasn’t going to post this, since the weather was supposed to be pretty poor. But after just checking the forecast, tomorrow is going to be a beautiful sunny day, though still quite “crisp.” It should be a unique Saturday morning event for those of you in or near Southwest London.
People racing are from all levels; there will be Olympic medalists and World Champions, all the way down to your average British club rower that goes out on the weekend and trains a few times a week. 550 boats entered in the race, so over 2200 rowers will be participating.
-I would suggest watching the race from Putney (closest Tube station is Putney Bridge). This is the finish line for the race, and the road along the riverbank is shut down and vendors have stalls for clothes and food to help keep you warm and fed! Also, there are a number of boathouses along the river in Putney, so you’ll get to see exactly what people are like after a 20-minute race like that!
Time: Race starts at 10:30am. Boats will start arriving in Putney around 10:45am. The last boats to finish will cross the line around 12 - 12:15.
Where: Putney Embankment (Closest Tube station is Putney Bridge on the District Line.)
Cost: Nothing!
Also: As it might get a bit cold, please note that there are a few pubs along the riverbank, too. You can see the end of the racing and grab a drink or two to warm up!
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POSTED IN: Events, Just a Little Bit Weird - Fun & Quirky Places, Miscellaneous, People Watching, Photos
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