We are sitting in the driver’s seat and about to put the key in the ignition to start the build up towards this year’s OSCAR Dragon Boat Race on Thursday 10th September.

But if you find the commitment to raise £6,500 a bit of a stretch, this year we have another rowing alternative for you: THE GREAT GOSH ROW which takes place on 1st July and 2nd July.  Pick your day!

Registrations are open for bookings here: https://www.gosh.org/get-involved/fundraising-events/the-great-gosh-row/  or if you have any questions, please contact Jennifer Halsey at Great Ormond Street: [email protected]

Don’t panic – newcomers can enter this event even though it is a 16 mile or 26.5 km row(!) up the Thames, from Greenwich to Chiswick.

The row is done by teams of 8 in boats called Skerries. These are wide boats where the rowers sit 2 abreast on wooden benches.

The first 19.5km or so is essentially a processional row and allows the teams to enjoy the scenery and to get to grips with the boats and to learn how to row in time.

The last 6.8km is the Oxford & Cambridge Boat Race course.  It’s timed, so you can be as competitive – or not – as you and your team wish.

The event actually also supports London Youth Rowing as well as GOSH.  Promoted by our good friend Ian Teare, Head of Shipping at Hill Dickinson Solicitors, the event is “highly recommended, both for the exercise and the social at the end.  I would emphasise that no prior rowing experience is required; these boats are really easy to row, and people should not be put off by the timed bit at the end – it is up to each team whether they want to empty the tank over Boat Race distance.”

“The cost?  It’s £50 per rower registration fee and a pledge to donate or raise £3,000 per boat That works out at £375 per person which I think is pretty manageable.

We are hoping to have as many entries and targeting the 2^nd July date for the maritime community.”