Good times Thames

Messing about on the river

As another summer begins to wind down, an age-old tradition gets into full swing: getting the most out of the remaining warm weather before winter hibernation takes over. So, now's the time to dust off your sea legs, grab your oars, don your Styrofoam Nordic battle horns and get set for London's annual Great River Race.

This year is the 21st anniversary of the race in which an open field of around 300 crews cast off onto the Thames to tackle a gruelling 22-mile long course. This year's race takes place the first Saturday of September and the layout of the course is set to capsize tradition: for the first time, the race will be rowed in reverse, upstream from Millwall docks in the heart of London's docklands, to its traditional starting place, Richmond, Surrey.

Commonly known as London's River Marathon, the race draws parallels to its namesake as it features an all-inclusive list of competitors from around the world: from serious paddlers all the way to charity racers, from skilled (but occasionally unfit) oarsmen to wide-eyed landlubbers. The rules are simple, boats must be propelled by at least four oars, carry a passenger and have fixed, as opposed to sliding, seats. Apart from these simple constraints, anything goes (except piracy). Previous years have seen Chinese dragon boats, Viking battleships, Irish curraghs and traditional Thames Watermen all competing. After all, it wouldn't be a British summertime event without some time honoured fancy dress.

For more information, visit: www.greatriverrace.co.uk