Stand by for a fantastic weekend of rowing

This weekend is set to be a busy one for rowing with lots to see and do along the Thames from Putney to Isleworth.

Saturday 5th April 

The 19th Vets Boat Race takes place at 4.15pm on Saturday afternoon with the chance to spot some Olympic rowers.  The Oxford line-up includes Barney Williams, Olympic Silver Medalist from Athens and the Cambridge crew includes Kiran West, Olympic Gold Medalist. Rowing from Putney Stone to Furnivall Steps it’s bound to be a hard fought race featuring a number of old rivals.

Sunday 6th April 

The 2014 BNY Mellon Boat Race will be the 160th contest. Cambridge lead the series with 81 victories to Oxford’s 77, with one dead-heat in 1877.  The race takes place at 5.55pm with the crews rowing from Putney to Mortlake.  It is preceded by a race between the reserve crews, Isis and Goldie. See the full timetable here

If you’re on the towpath look out for the Row for It! stall at Putney Town Rowing Club. Supporters of the Brain Tumour Charity will be signing up participants to take part in an indoor rowing challenge in aid of the charity.  The Oxford crew are rowing in a boat named after Acer Nethercott.

Make a day of it and head down to Syon Reach for a very different boating experience and the first ever RNLI Alternative Boat Race.  Model lifeboats, decorated by the clubs sponsoring them, will be racing 1,000 metres from Syon Reach to the London Apprentice pub.

Peter Dawes, RNLI Regional Operations Manager says, “This event is going to be a real spectacle. As well as being good fun and a great sight, the event will raise valuable funds for the RNLI to help save lives at sea.”