Thames trip for Torridge rowing team

Rowers from Torridge Pilot Gig Club based in Appledore took part in the biggest event of its kind in Europe, The Annual Great River Race.

With 37 trophies up for grabs, the crew with ages from 20-70 years-old, led by cox Johnnie B, dressed as Crabs and used all their leg power to complete the 21.6 miles from the Docklands to Richmond.

Susie from the Torridge crew said: “We were aiming for under three hours and made it in two hours and 47 minutes. Quite an accomplishment!”

A variety of boats can compete, but the race is based on the ‘watermen principle’ - a reference to the rowers who carried passengers on the Thames before London’s bridges were built. In a nod to the watermen, boats must be fixed seat boats and have a 3ft by 2ft flag. The boats also need to carry a cox and at least one passenger, as well as the rowers.