Doggett’s Coat & Badge

On Friday 15th July, six young Watermen took part in what is thought to be the oldest continuous sporting challenge in the world, the Doggett’s Coat and Badge race.  The course runs with the tide from London Bridge to the Cadogan Pier in Chelsea and was first contested in 1715 to commemorate ‘the happy accession of His Majesty, George 1, to the throne’. 

The race’s founder, Thomas Doggett, lived in Chelsea and was a regular user of the river taxis which were rowed by the Watermen.  He left instructions in his will that the race should run on 1st August ‘for ever’ and that each year the winner should be presented with the livery coat and badge.  This year rowers from London Rowing Club took the top two positions.

To find out more about the Watermen and Lightermen traineeships go to the Watermen’s website