September 22, 2011 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamCompetitions and ClubsIndoor RowingPartners#YourStoriesArchive Great River Race attracts 332 crews to the Thames Rowing Community Over 300 crews took to the Thames on Saturday 17 September, for the 2011 Great River Race. Around 2,400 people took part in the annual event, with 332 boats including Celtic Longboats, Cornish Pilot Gigs, Skiffs, and Montague Whalers racing alongside traditional row boats.ADVERT The 21-mile race started at the Millwall Dock Slipway, London Docklands, and finished upriver at Ham House, Richmond. The Rafters claimed a memorable double on the 2011 Race, finishing fastest in their 16-man Dragonboat and defying the handicap system to finish first overall in a time of two-hours, 10 minutes and five seconds. Another Dragonboat 16 – crewed by Masters International – finished second a mere one minute and two seconds behind, with Aberdyfi Men finish third in their Celtic Longboat. Aberdyfi Ladies went two better than their male counterparts, finishing in two hours, 37 minutes and 10 seconds to claim the overall women’s title. OCUK Women were the fastest women’s crew of the day – finishing in two hours, 31 minutes and 24 seconds – but were edged into seconds overall courtesy of the handicap system. Thirty five trophies were available for crews, reflecting the variety of boats and crews gathering to contest the 23-year-old event. One award, for the Most Inspired Challenge, was shared between Row2Recovery – a team of injured Army personnel – and Row for Freedom, who completed the course in the same boat that the all-female crew will row unsupported across the Atlantic next year. ‘The race was preparation for our challenge in more ways than we expected,’ said crewmember Debbie Beadle. ‘Our first problem was that our oars were not delivered, so we had to source oars and fix the oar locks to fit. We were then hit with some harsh weather conditions which seemed to come just for us, but after that we had a very enjoyable race – winning the trophy for most inspired challenge.’ The four-woman crew (pictured, above) were forced to take a tow from the start line to Chiswick due to the inclement weather and fierce current, but they eventually crossed the finishing line in three hours, eight minutes and nine seconds. ‘It was such an oar-some experience to be part of the Great River Race,’ added team member Julian Immonen. ‘The atmosphere was electric amongst the crews, and it was such a great opportunity to test out our Atlantic Ocean rowing boat The Guardian for the first time!’ The Row for Freedom team aims to become the first female crew of six to row unsupported across the Atlantic in December 2011. For more information on their challenge, and the anti-slavery charity they are supporting, visit the Row for Freedom website. ADVERT