Observation points
Where to see the best of the race action and times relative to the start time to get the best view.
From 07:30
Millwall Riverside, Westferry Road London DocklandsÂ
Competing crews arrive, register and prepare their boats for the launch and of course the Race.
Start time
This varies from year to year depending on tidal conditions.Â
Race starts with the slowest craft first, each vessel has it is own individual handicap and the faster the potential speed of the boat, the later the start time. The fastest boat will start just over an hour after the slowest.Â
ST + 30′
Tower Bridge
Not long after passing Canary Wharf, the unmistakable outline of Tower Bridge comes into sight. The Bridge is a great favourite with spectators who love to line the rails to watch the crews fighting for position as they approach.
ST + 35′
London Bridge
ST + 40′
Southwark Bridge
ST + 50′
Millennium Bridge
ST + 55′
Blackfriars Bridge
ST + 60′
Waterloo Bridge
ST + 65′
Westminster Bridge
Tricky currents give crews, especially novices, a tough challenge as some fight to hold on to their handicap advantage, while others try to weave their way through. Great racing for the crowds as the competition hots up.
ST + 75′
Lambeth Bridge / Vauxhall Bridge / Chelsea Bridge
The leading boats are now passing the Houses of Parliament and concentrating on the long haul upriver. Back at Millwall there are still more than one hundred boats yet to start.
ST + 85′
Battersea Bridge
Approaching the halfway point and the crews have now received maximum assistance from the incoming tide. The riverside promenades above and below the Bridge make excellent vantage points.
ST + 90′
Wandsworth Bridge
While the best crews in the slower boats are still leading the field, the more powerful crews in the faster craft are now showing their speed as they move through the field.
ST + 100′
Putney Bridge
While the head of the Race is now two thirds of the way home, the end of the fleet has just cleared central London.
ST + 115′
Hammersmith Bridge
Tricky currents around the Dove Pier just above the Bridge will test tiring crews and weary coxes.
ST + 140′
Chiswick Bridge
With around an hour to go, speculation mounts as to whether those low-handicap boats which have led the fleet for so long will be able to hold on to their advantage or be overwhelmed.
ST + 155′
Kew Bridge
Now racing a against a semi-rural backdrop, the faster Waterman Cutters, Pilot Gigs and Celtic Longboats are beginning to show their superior pace and feature in the top twenty.Â
ST + 170′
Richmond Bridge
Richmond’s riverside spectators cheer on the crews as they pass through the Bridge. With 35 trophies up for grabs, crews must draw on their last reserves to vie for a winning spot.
ST + 185′
Riverside below Ham House, Richmond
Our Race winner crosses the line to rousing applause and the prospect of receiving The Challenge Trophy of The Company of Watermen & Lightermen and becoming the UK Traditional Boat Champions in the process.