Time lapse of the 2025 Great River Race.- shows the scale of the event
Have You Ever Heard of the Great River Race
No, nor had I until I was invited to attend as part of the safety fleet.
In effect The Great River Race is London’s River Marathon. It’s a spectacular boat race covering 21.6 miles from Millwall in the East to Richmond in the West.
The rules for this River Race are simple. There are fixed seats. Dragon boats are not allowed because they like to sink.
The rules are based on the Watermen principle. Each vessel must carry a passenger and a cox. It also needs a 3’ x 2’ flag.
The event started in 1988 with 61 local boats. It has now grown into a major international event.
Competitors from America, Australia, and many European countries are taking part.
It is the largest rowing race in the UK when you consider the number of people on the water at the same time.
This is where the RIBs come into play.
To keep this many rowers safe takes a herculean effort by the RIB community.
Our latest writer is Andy, commonly known as Squirrell, the owner of a Highfield Patrol 600 aptly named Nutkin.
Andy has grown up in and on the waters of South West England.
A competitive sea swimmer in Dorset led to training to be a Canoe Lifeguard, effectively moving from competing to supporting.
This move was obviously the right thing. The next 35 years were spent on the National Committee for British Canoe Lifeguards and the Royal Lifesaving Society.
These efforts helped shape UK lifeguarding and safety processes in use at events today.
Aquatic Safety Officer
Aquatic Safety Officer is a title often used for Andy.
He holds this title at World Cups, World Championships, UK Ironman races, and Festival of the Seas.
Virtually every conceivable event, from a duck race to an Olympic Games, has been supported in one way or another.
This support even includes the odd music festival as a medical director. But that’s another story!
It was only a matter of time until ribs came along as part of the tool set.
Working at the Weymouth Sailing Centre as a water sports instructor provided powerboat qualifications.
It also offered powerboat instructor qualifications via BSAC.
The rescue kayaks rarely get wet these days. Most weekends, Andy can be found afloat on his Highfield Patrol 600.
The winter is spent as the Safety Lead for the Winter Series of Cornish Pilot Gig Racing.
OCRDA and Cowes–Torquay–Cowes fill the powerboat racing calendar. Occasionally, UKOPRA and UIM events are mixed in.
Events such as the Great River Race bring a different view to the Thames. You know the Highfield Patrol has been the lead boat. This is especially true if you’ve seen posts or blogs on social cruises.
These include The Annual Pasty Run/Hunt, The SW Culinary Tour, Gin and Biscuits, Autumn Colours, or Ice Cream and Chips. Andy is at the helm with his ever suffering crew.
Our new author has been instrumental in organising some of the UK’s biggest events. These include a sea swim, rowing race, powerboat race, or social cruise. They bring a wealth of experience to these pages.
“Owning a RIB is investing in quality time I so long for.”- Karel Overlaet – Photo Pixabay
You may ask yourself: How much does a rigid inflatable boat cost? Well it all depends on what your purpose is.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Rigid inflatable boats have become, over the last couple of years, the preferred choice not only for marine professionals but also for those that take boating as a leisure activity. There are a plethora of reasons for this; the boat comes with a myriad of benefits.
For many years now I own a single outboard RIB. As a journalist I sailed many motor boats and RIBs. I aways had the most fun in RIBs. The feeling of “flying” over the waves is really extraordinary! It’s a kick I can’t get enough of.
That being said, one cannot help but inquire why these Rigid Inflatable boats, ostensibly referred to by their abbreviation “RIBs” or “RHIBs”, as expensive. They cost more than the “ordinary” boat, but why exactly is that. The answer to this question can be found in the nuances of the RIBs, from the construction to their operations.
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