Queens Diamond Jubilee Race

The 45th running of this prestige and unique London fun rowing event.

The Queens Platinum Jubilee Race will consist of about 12 teams of between four & six crewmembers. Each crew will drive (steer & row) 30 ton Thames barges over a seven mile course for approximately 90 minutes between Greenwich & Westminster Bridge.

Considerable skill is needed to pilot unpowered barges ‘rowed under oars’ or sweeps and ride tidal river currents alone, up river. The event commemorates the skills of lightermen who moved freight this way along the Thames up until the 1930s and in a wider context it encourages ongoing interest in moving cargo via water and as a way to recruit younger people back into river trades.

Times to be confirmed, but expected to start at 12:30pm and be finished by 4pm.

The barges row under ten of London's Bridges & eight of these are accessible to pedestrians making them excellent vantage points to see the race.