2 April 2017

Tim Koch wonders what to do today:

There are some sorts of boat races on the Thames today, Sunday, 2 April. I’m not sure what it’s all about but it may be worth watching. If you have nothing better to do, you could personally join the 250,000 that line the riverbanks between Putney and Mortlake. ‘Line’, however, implies an even spread – if fact there tends to be severe bunching around the pubs. Once out of Putney, the Surrey Bank is less crowded if serious viewing rather than serious drinking is your priority.

The viewing points are Putney Embankment and Bishop’s Park at the start, Hammersmith and Barnes mid-course, and Dukes Meadows and Chiswick Bridge at the finish. Bishop’s Park is located opposite the start by Putney Bridge and is one of the two hubs of free entertainment laid on by the local Hammersmith and Fulham Council providing family friendly fun, beer tents, food, and with the race relayed live on big screens. A similar (though smaller) set-up is at Furnivall Gardens near Hammersmith Bridge, mid-way along the course.

If West London is too far for you to travel, you could be one of the seven million in Britain or tens of millions around the world who view via terrestrial, satellite and internet sources. However, I do expect all regular HTBS readers to attend in person, and I will be noting the names of those who are absent.

The following timetable is in British Summer Time.

The coin toss for stations
Women’s Boat Race: 14:45
Women’s Reserves: 15:00
Men’s Reserves: 15:15
Men’s Boat Race: 15:30

Boating
Women’s Boat Race: 15:47
Women’s Reserves: 16:02
Men’s Reserves: 16:17
Men’s Boat Race: 16:47

Races
Women’s Boat Race: 16:35
Women’s Reserves Race: 16:50
Men’s Reserves Race: 17:05
Men’s Boat Race: 17:35

Television
(BBC live from 16.00)
BBC 1 (UK)
BBC World News (Worldwide)
BBC iPlayer (UK playback)
Supersport (Pan Africa)
CCTV5 (China)
Universal HD (USA)
SKY Mexico (Pan Central America)
OSN (Pan Middle East)

Online
bbc.com (Radio)
bbc.com (TV)
bbc.co.uk (TV, live and playback)
theboatrace.org (TV, live and playback)

An article by Drew Schwartz about watching the 2016 race from the riverbank is online here. It has the non too snappy title, “Trying to Understand the Britishness of the Boat Race as an American”, but it is not as bad as it could have been. I think Drew rather enjoyed his day by the Thames with us strange Brits.