Belle's smiling stroke, Daisy Llewellyn (c) D Simms 

 

The Great River Race is London’s River Marathon – a spectacular boat race covering 21.6 miles from Millwall in the East to Richmond in the West, travelling under London’s famous bridges. It is a race for fixed seat craft and a large variety of boats takes part including traditional Thames Watermen’s Cutters. Each crew must carry a passenger and cox, and fly a 3’ x 2’ flag.
 
Amongst the throng of nearly 300 vessels on Saturday 21st September 2024, six Livery Companies competed in the Thames Watermen’s Cutter class and the Company of Entrepreneurs was delighted to loan its Clerk, Duncan Simms, to the Worshipful Company of Founders for the day. Aboard Belle Founder the Clerk took his seat as the fifth of six oars – with the daunting responsibility of matching the pace and strength of seasoned oarswoman Daisy Llewellyn at stroke.

 

Belle Founder pushes out into the Thames (c) D Simms

The day was fine and bright as the crew of Belle Founder heaved her to the river at Deptford – equipped with hats, sun cream, and vital last-minute calories. The tide turned shortly before 1pm, and battling the surging Thames on the shingle beach was the first of the day’s challenges. The sprightly cox, retired Archdeacon Paul Taylor, heroically pounced aboard the Belle to fix the rudder as the cutter leapt in the waves. The crew brought the Belle under control and, with minimal swimming, settled into their places to begin the final tightening of seats, setting of footboards, and adjusting of kit. Before too long, Belle Founder was out into the main stream of the vast grey river and ready to begin!
 
After what seemed like hours of nervous circling, the Belle was given the all-clear to proceed to the start, and, building up speed on the rising tide, the cutter was powerfully rowed into competitive waters. Well-wishers lined the banks and bridges along the course – with crews occasionally recognising cheers and cries from the spectators. The noise of shouting from every side joined the cacophony of bellowing coxes and grunting oars. Soon, the Master Glazier was in sight, and, beyond her, the Barbers’ Cutter. Crewed by the Worshipful Companies of Glaziers and Worshipful Company of Barber Surgeons respectively, the cutters raced keenly with Belle Founder amidst the slower vessels. With sinews straining, the crew of the Belle caught and overtook Master Glazier, and inched closer each minute to Barbers’ Cutter. With no let-up in the swell, nor thinning of other craft, the cox of the Belle sat stony-faced in the stern – indifferent to the chorus of shouts from either side as he guided the sprinting Belle across the channel and alongside Barbers’ Cutter. 

Belle Races (c) I Sidford 

 
It was now his turn to shout. Imploring, cajoling, threatening, and fearsome, the Archdeacon sat tall in his seat and bellowed to the crew an impatient count of ten strokes. Rising to a colossal 43 strokes per minute, Daisy’s hands were a metronomical blur, as the five oars behind her breathed deeply and strove to match her pace.

Belle Founder passes Barbers' Cutter (c) I Sidford

 
It was enough. The crews found open water beyond Westminster Bridge, and the Belle took and outran Barbers’ Cutter.

Belle braves the waves (c) I  Sidford

The Belle surged on. Even as the racing tide slowed at her stern, and the current of the the Thames pushed back against her bow, the backs and bellies of the Founders & Founders crew were indefatigable. Sweating in the early autumn sun, and snatching at water bottles where they could, the crew looked sleek and professional as their oars tapped away just above the river’s waves, and quivered with each catch just below.
 
The cox was pleased. Bridge by bridge, times and targets were bellowed to the rowers, with the passenger, Dr Iain Sidford, capably navigating, timekeeping, and photographing the Belle’s progress. 

Belle Cox (Paul Taylor) and Passenger (Iain Sidford) (c) D Llewellyn

 
There was almost no slowing of pace – a testament to the grit and vitality of the crew, and to the earnest encouragement of the cox – and, passing the 2-hour mark, the crew snatched what refreshment they could whilst maintaining a steady rate of 35 strokes per minute. The Belle continued to tap along briskly, keeping pace with the Cornish pilot gig Zeeheld. Competing for the first time, and crewed unflinchingly by the men of Scheveningsche Roeivereeniging, Zeeheld rowed a determined race, keeping just a few lengths ahead of the Belle as she jostled with the gig Cockleshell for dominance of the river. Passing Syon Park Boathouse (the pink pavilion) the Thames turns abruptly and narrows at Isleworth Ait. Seizing the opportunity, and with the advantage of experience, Belle Founder thrust ahead of Cockleshell and maintained her advantage into Richmond.
 
Passing Twickenham Bridge, the sight of Richmond Bridge brought renewed vigour to the Belle Founder crew. Urging a final push, the cox tore a path through the slower boats. 
 
A final ten, another final ten, another, and another: the crewed gulped at the humid air desperately as their limbs burned and strained. Zeeheld was still in sight, her skull ensign tantalising the prow of the Belle, but, all too soon, the boats raced past the finish. The Dutchmen of Zeeheld protected their lead, but it had been a magnificent effort by the crew of the Belle. 

Belle Founder returns to Richmond (c) D Llewellyn

 
Contrasting superbly with the gritty melee of the race, a pleasant party atmosphere awaited crews at the finish – and a deputation of Liverymen Founders and a coolbox of refreshments made a welcome sight for the exhausted crew. There were final challenges to overcome, but a submerged pontoon, and a trifling mile-long row to Belle’s moorings at Richmond were laughed off. Belle Founder had recorded her third-best time on the course, and to novices Duncan and Edd this was a huge achievement. Two hours, 32 minutes, and fifty-four seconds (provisional) of astonishing endeavour was enough to place the Founders third out of the six Livery cutters competing on the day.
 
Congratulations are due to the Worshipful Company of Scientific Instrument Makers on taking the Loughton Diving Club trophy in the cutter class, with a sensational time of 2:16:25 (provisional), and to the Worshipful Company of Water Conservators on their time of 2:24:27 (provisional) with a mixed crew. Other Livery cutters (provisional times): Master Glazier 2:36:26, Barbers’ Cutter 2:37:55, and Cito (the Worshipful Company of Information Technologists with a mixed crew) 2:54:42.
 
The Entrepreneurs’ Clerk is indebted to the Founders’ Company for the opportunity to row, and, once his blisters have healed, will doubtless return!

Belle Founder's crew

 
 
NOTES: The Great River Race started in 1988 with 61 boats crewed by traditional rowing enthusiasts ranging from young scouts to hardened offshore veterans coming from diverse organisations such as rowing clubs, pubs, schools, boating societies and the armed services. It now has around 300 crews taking part and is an international event with competitors from America, Australia, and many European countries. The Great River Race is now a charitable trust run by volunteers and with over 2,500 competitors competing for 37 trophies. It has become the biggest and most prestigious event of its kind in Europe.
 
Belle Founder - Daisy Lewellyn (stroke), Duncan Simms, Jerome Condry, the Rt Rev. Ed Condry, Matthew Farrant, Edd Holliday (bow), the Ven. Paul Taylor (cox), plus Dr Ian Sidford (passenger) -rowed a total of 33,536m, at an average speed of 13.1km/h. The oars took 5,331 strokes, and consumed 2,338 calories.
 
Many Livery Companies of the City of London maintain and race Thames Watermen’s Cutters, as part of the heritage of the City of London and as a fellowship opportunity for their members. To find out more, please talk to the Clerk.