The countdown is on for Regatta London 2019

It’s just under 9 weeks until Regatta London, a unique opportunity to paddle, row or canoe up to 14 miles of the Thames from Hammersmith to Greenwich, Old Royal Naval College. What makes this event even more special is that the Thames Barrier will be closed meaning there is no tide and as an added bonus the river will be closed to traffic.

The event has been the long-held dream of three-time Olympic gold medallist Andrew Triggs Hodge. “Regatta London is the first event of its kind – the biggest opportunity there is to participate in, spectate and enjoy rowing, kayak/canoeing and stand-up paddleboarding via the 14-mile London Crossing course. I’m proud to say that these great paddle sports will have their day in central London, finally joining the world-famous running and cycling events we love.”

Triggs-Hodge is hoping the rowing community will get behind the event and is expecting entries from over 100 eights. “Given the restrictions on boat numbers rowing through central London, particularly in this first year, we like to see the biggest and best boats, 8’s, to kick things off, but coxed fours and coxed quads can enter. Between men, women and mixed boats and crews from 16+ to vets, we’re keen to see a diverse field of racers and participants represented.”

Last year Regatta London held a test event in far from ideal weather on a light ebb tide. There was heavy rain and a good wind for the entire event but this did nothing to dampen the spirits of the five mixed-sex London crews that participated. The opportunity to compete over such an iconic stretch more than made up for the weather.

Regatta London trial event in 2018 – wet but iconic!

Triggs Hodge says the event is taking the best bits of a traditional regatta and ditching the rest. “This event is as much for people who want to win, as for people who just want to row and enjoy this incredible stretch of water. For the racers it’ll be a side-by-side 14mile race, starting at Hammersmith, racing through town, under all the bridges through central London, past all the incredible sights of the most iconic river in the world – all this will be our field of play for the morning.”

Entries for Regatta London are open now – you can find all the information you need here https://regatta.london/ways-to-get-involved. Besides the normal public entry, there are three headline charities holding places for crews, London Youth Rowing, mental health charity Mates in Mind and Thames 21 who are restoring the relationships between communities and their rivers. Alternatively, there are a whole host of alternative charities to raise money for.

Don’t delay – enter this most iconic of rowing events today.