Thames Landscape Strategy - Hampton to Kew -

Great River Race in Reverse

The Great River Race is a truly magical event with almost 300 boats competing to find the world traditional rowing boat champion. Craft from across the globe enter – dragon boats from China, whalers from Canada, surf boats from Australia and Cornish gigs from the Isles of Scilly.
This year’s race takes place on Saturday September 5th and is set to be quite different from previous events in that it is being held in reverse – starting at Greenwich and finishing in Ham. The reason for this change in direction is the tide. To complete the 22mile course rowers need a little help from the tide which must be flowing in the same direction as the race rather than pushing against the boats. If the race was held as usual (i.e Richmond to Greenwich), there would have been no suitable ebbing tides that would have given enough time for all the boats to safely pass through an open Richmond Lock before the sluice gates shut. Because of this, the decision was taken to hold the race in reverse – the incoming tide on September 5th being just about perfect.
For the first time in the 22 year history of the race we will therefore be welcoming boats in our part of the world rather than waving them off.
There are lots of excellent places to watch the arriving boats. Some of the best being at Chiswick Pier, Ferry Quays in Brentford, the Kew Towpath, the London Apprentice in Isleworth and Ranelegh Drive in St. Margaret’s. Further towards the finish we will be organising more formal events to make the day even more special.
Between 1.30-4.30pm local bands will play between Richmond Lock and Richmond Bridge (the first boat is expected at Richmond Lock just before 2.00, the last around 4.00pm). There will be children’s entertainment at Buccleugh Gardens and families and friends are invited to come and have a riverside picnic between Petersham Meadows and Hammertons Ferry. The finish itself is at Ham house (be warned however, that the area around the finish will be very busy due to all the in-coming boats).
All in all it promises to be a grand day out. It is unlikely that (because of future tide patterns) we will host the finish for many years to come so make the most of this year’s race. Put the afternoon of September 5th in your diary, choose your spot, pack your picnic bag, chill your wine and enjoy a most memorable day out along the Arcadian Thames.

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