Putney welcomes rowers once again

Putney Bridge will form the finishing line for the 2022 Schools Head of the River Race – a traditional curtain raiser for the Thames rowing season.

With Covid having brought a sudden halt to the sport in 2020, Monday’s regatta (March 14) will be the first time organised competitive rowing has returned to the river in two years.

Over the coming weeks fans of the sport can expect to enjoy further regattas, culminating in the famous varsity boat race showdown between Oxford and Cambridge Universities on Sunday, April 3.

For Monday’s event around 300 crews from schools will compete against each other from the start line at Chiswick Bridge and on a four mile course downriver to Putney.

Wandsworth council leader Ravi Govindia said: “The sport of rowing has helped put Putney on a global map so I’m delighted that after a two year hiatus, the boats and their crews are back.
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“The pubs, bars and restaurants of Putney town centre have missed the annual influx of thousands of rowing fans so I’m really pleased that they will soon be returning and providing a welcome and much needed economic boost to these local businesses.”

“I say welcome back, we’ve missed you and we’re delighted to see you returning!”