GREAT RIVER RACE 2006 .... A TRINITY HOUSE REPORT

Great River Race 2006


The morning of the 16-09-2006 saw the crew having to meet up at Richmond for 0745 and proceed to the start line for registration at 0830.
With twenty five cutters in this year’s race it was a bit of a scramble but a word in Mark Edwards’s ear got TT close to the slipway, Karen got stuck in with the bailing as soon as she arrived (keen as ever).
It was whilst rowing to the start I had the first feelings from the crew that we were all really up for the race.
Having only won one event this year (The Cork Ocean to city International winners) and not the best show at Sunbury (although we did have the fastest course time on the day) The lads were out to prove that we had what it takes to compete with the best of the cutter crew’s (Oxbridge rowers included)

It was also a bonus this year to have a second Trinity House boat to compete with,
Although it was not in the same class it was a pleasure to meet up with the crew of the new pilot gig Mermaid she looked really awesome and had me thinking that we may not pass them once they left that was my first note to self moment (must catch Mermaid before Tower Bridge) We had some pictures taken with both crews and all wished each other the best for the race (honestly). They had a set off time of 1036 and we were due off at 1042 already they had a head start.
I must say on behalf of the Mermen they looked great in the water and had all the style befitting any vessel flying the house colours.

Whilst waiting for Craig Doyle of Capital radio fame to start the race with the sounding of the cannon I had that feeling back again our race number was 231 the first cutter away and with our now famous racing start all we had to do was maintain a good solid distance to Richmond bridge and we were in with a hope of being in the top group of cutters, I had to get back to the team all this thinking about race positions before we were even in the boat was not helping my pre race nerves.

The race start well here we go again edging closer and closer to the start line counting down the taps and gooney strokes the starter called out our number and waved us on and away we went we saw the other cutters clattering their oars but to late we were gone. As planned we ploughed through Richmond Bridge and onwards,
It was nearly an hour into the race before the Ox-Bridge brigade started taking us first was the NPS crew in full sliding seat kit (always a big giveaway) and the watermen of the Lady Gillette eventually took us, To spur the lads on I informed them in my own little way that we had just handed the race to them this had the desired effect as Trinity Tide leapt into a gear I had not felt since Cork ( I knew they had it in them) next Cutter to pass was the Water conservators in the Water Forget Me Knot she not only was skulled but had twelve oars and was never in the same class as the rest of the cutter’s So now we were in third place in the 2006 Great River Race the mission was to have no other cutter pass us and it was in the bag.



It was strange passing a vessel with our house flag but these things have to be done the crew of the Mermaid did put up a fight but having already caught up and taken back the six minute lead they had at the start meant we were always going to take them. We gave a cheer and left them behind. (We were really on form now.)

Coming into the City saw a lot of swell from passenger boats and it was here that we came into our own; lessons learnt in Cork meant we had no fear of the swell and we powered through the City,
After we saw the last of the bridge’s it was payback time on our bodies one after the other the pains and strains came but Karen saw the chance of pulling us forward by using the flagging crew of Blister 3, She gave them so much encouragement to bring them home with us and having passed her bow Karen knew we would never let her pass. The crew of Trinity Tide found a new lease of life and stormed over the finish line with the Blister 3 boys only six seconds behind. The crew of Mermaid were not far behind them a matter of minutes only (well done lad’s)


I was asked later to pick a crew member who I thought outshone anyone else; if I was still there I would not be able to do it. I do however think the boat was a star and the crew as a whole including those that were not in the selected crew shone. The training over the last season and the bond we have with the boat and our man at TH (The Edge) and the support of Trinity House all made this years Great River Race the success that it was.

Little did we know that our Deputy Master was on Hungerford Bridge Some words from him are below as are some from The Edge

(Edgar King) "And please congratulate them from me on an excellent result."

(Deputy Master) "I raised my glass to each crew as they effortlessly sped past me at Hungerford Bridge!"

Thank you one and all