This website covers all aspects of the rich history of rowing, as a sport, culture phenomena, a life style, and a necessary element to keep your wit and stay sane.
On 10 September, Coran Cherry (31, right) won the 311th race for the Doggett’s Coat and Badge. Here he is congratulated by the 2021 winner, James Berry (left). Coran will soon match James for sartorial splendour when he is given the event’s unique prize, the coveted costume of an 18th century waterman (“the coat”) adorned with a large solid silver arm badge.
12 September 2025
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch follows his 15th Coat and Badge.
In one of the best fought Doggett’s races that I have seen in a long time, the winner, Coran Cherry (31) from Poplar, Blackwall District Rowing Club wearing black recorded a time of 27m 01s in his fourth attempt. Second was Jack Finelli (27) of Medway Towns Rowing Club in blue who finished his second race in 28m 14s. First timer Charlie Milward (27) from Poplar Blackwall and District Rowing Club wearing white finished in 28m 30s.
For those unaware of the race that is properly called The Doggett’s Coat and Badge Wager, I have an explanation in my recent report on the draw for the race. Briefly, it is a long distance sculling race for newly qualified watermen held since 1715. “Wager” is from the old word meaning “an ancient form of trial by personal combat between the parties or their champions”.
Cherry arrives from Wapping
Coran Cherry passing the headquarters of the River Police at Wapping.At the Hermitage Community Moorings.With the 310-metre high Shard building and Tower Bridge in the background.At Butler’s Wharf.
Finelli enters the ring
Amateur boxer, Jack Finelli, shows what he is made of.Warming up.Getting in the zone?
Milward debuts
Charlie Milward (foreground) with opponent Finelli and the Tower of London in the background.In front of HMS Belfast, launched in 1938, now a permanently moored museum ship.You looking at me?
Race time
“Can you hear me, Ken?” As Bargemaster of the Fishmongers’ Company, Bobby Prentice (right) is ex officio the race umpire. On the left is the umpire’s assistant and race timekeeper, Ken Dwan.Their warm up finished, the boys gather together.Umpire Prentice decides that it is time to race.
Part II, posted tomorrow, will be a record of the 311th race for the Doggett’s Coat and Badge.
Manipulating history
A repost of a couple of Doggett’s related pictures that I have created in the last year.
The winners from 1824, 1924 and 2024 stand together.A photoshop gathering of all the members of the Phelps family who have won Doggett’s.
Hear The Boat Sing 