On the evening that the Oxford and Cambridge crews were announced for The CHANEL J12 Boat Race 2025 at the iconic Battersea Power Station, The Boat Race Company, Oxford University Boat Club and Cambridge University Boat Club have together thrown their support behind the London Rivers’ Pledge.
Just weeks before this year’s historic encounter on Sunday 13 April, The Boat Race has backed the London Rivers’ Pledge. The plan is a partnership between environmental campaigners, those who use or enjoy London’s waterways and the key firms and authorities that manage them (full list below).
Testing of the water along the course from Putney to Mortlake last year revealed high levels of E. coli, which can cause a range of serious infections and other side-effects. Rowers were told not to enter or swallow the water, as well as to take other preventative measures, such as covering up scrapes with waterproof plasters. Heeding the warnings, the winning Cambridge women’s team lifted their cox in the air, rather than throwing her into the water, as is traditional. Oxford’s coach at the time, Sean Bowden called the situation a “national disgrace”.
The Thames Tideway Tunnel is now fully connected, and already delivering huge benefits to the River Thames in terms of sewage reduction. The 25km long super sewer is designed to reduce sewage discharges by 95%, with the tidal flow of the river then progressively improving the water quality.
The 10 year partnership, led by the Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, demands further measures for the Thames and other waterways in the capital, expanding the installation of sustainable drainage systems, tackling sewer misconnections, and funding reedbeds and other solutions that naturally filter the water in London’s rivers. While water quality improvement is central to the programme, it is also aiming to improve access to London’s waterways for all Londoners to experience and enjoy.
The signing of the London Rivers’ Pledge comes in the same week that Sir Steve Redgrave called for urgent action to protect the river from pollution caused by sewage discharges. The Boat Race Company supports the work being done by British Rowing, as well as campaigning groups like River Action and conservation experts including The Rivers Trust to help clean up our rivers.
Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, said: “The annual Boat Race is an iconic event in London, shining a spotlight on the Thames. It’s vital that rowers can train and race on the river safely, and that everyone is able to access and enjoy our waterways. London’s rivers have been neglected for too long, and I’m pleased to be delivering funding and working with partners on an ambitious plan to clean them up and turn things around. We’ve made great progress in cleaning up our air in London, now we plan to do the same with our rivers. Together we can ensure our rivers are safer for all as we continue to build a greener, fairer, better London for everyone.”
Siobhan Cassidy, Chair of the Boat Race Company and a biologist by training, said: “Rowers have an intimate relationship with the river. They literally could not be any closer to it and they care deeply about water quality. We have all tolerated appalling levels of sewage for far too long, and though ambitious developments such as the Tideway Tunnel should improve the situation substantially, we must all maintain the pressure on the relevant authorities to do all they can to clean up the Thames and the other waterways used and appreciated by millions”.
Nico Kohl, stroke for Oxford Men, commented: “I am really glad that the Mayor, along with different stakeholders, is intervening to solve the problem that has been affecting the Thames. It will be a long process, and a lot of effort from different parties to reach meaningful results. As part of The Boat Race, the Thames is so important to us, and trying to fix the situation is good news, as a failure to do so could have resulted in further risk for us athletes in the years to come.”
Gemma King, Cambridge Women, added: “I am encouraged to see the Mayor taking action to bring together organisations, agencies and campaigners to clean up London waterways. As rowers, we all want to be safe to row on the Tideway and enjoy the sport that we love doing.”
In 2024, Cambridge won both the men’s and women’s race, with a winning streak for the women stretching back to 2017. Only the Oxford women’s boat Osiris were successful at the time, winning the women’s reserves race but Oxford’s new men’s coach Mark Fangen-Hall, bullishly predicted a very different outcome this time.
The crews selected for The Boat Race 2025 are as follows:
Oxford Women: Daniel Orton (Cox), Heidi Long (Stroke), Kyra Delray, Annie Anezakis, Sarah Marshall, Alexia Lowe, Tessa Haining, Lilli Freischem, Sarah Polson (Bow)
Oxford Men: Tobias Bernard (Cox), Nico Kohl (Stroke), Nick Rusher, Tom Mackintosh, Tass von Mueller, James Doran, Felix Rawlinson, Will O’Connell, Tom Sharrock (Bow)
Cambridge Women: Jack Nicholas (Cox), Samy Morton (Stroke), Tash Morrice, Claire Collins, Carys Earl, Annie Wertheimer, Sophia Hahn, Gemma King, Katy Hempson (Bow)
Cambridge Men: Ollie Boyne (Cox), Douwe de Graaf (Stroke), Luca Ferraro, James Robson, George Bourne, Gabriel Mahler, Tom Macky, Noam Mouelle, Simon Hatcher (Bow)
Pledge to work together to clean London’s waterways:
“London’s waterways are the lifeblood of London, shaping communities, sustaining livelihoods and bringing people closer to nature. Whether you’re traveling alongside our rivers, spending time on the water, or, where safe, wild swimming, our rivers should be accessible to everyone. Yet, for too long, they have been neglected and damaged by pollution.
“That’s why we are coming together to create a plan that will ensure London’s waterways are clean and healthy within the next decade. We envision rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and other water sites that are vibrant habitats for nature, free from pollution, and open to all.
“Our vision is one where nature itself is our partner in this transformation, enhancing biodiversity and creating a sustainable environment where both people and wildlife can thrive.
“This is not just an environmental challenge—it is a matter of social justice. Every Londoner, regardless of where they live or their background, should have the opportunity to benefit from clean, safe, and thriving waterways.
“Our 10-year plan will be developed by a group as diverse as London itself, harnessing the collective effort of communities, campaigners, businesses, and government to ensure that our rivers are safe for swimming and healthy for nature.”
Signed by:
- Sadiq Khan, Mayor of London
- Ros Daniels, Director for London & South East, Canal & River Trust
- Matthew Gould, Chief Executive Officer, Zoological Society of London
- David Mooney, Chief Executive Officer, London Wildlife Trust
- Robin Mortimer, Chief Executive Officer, Port of London Authority
- Tanya Steele, Chief Executive Officer, WWF-UK
- Chris Weston, Chief Executive Officer, Thames Water
- Siobhan Cassidy, Chair, Boat Race Company Limited
For all The Boat Race 2025 media enquiries please contact:
The PHA Group – [email protected]
About The Boat Race
The Boat Race was first raced by crews from Oxford and Cambridge University in 1829 and is now one of the world’s oldest and most famous amateur sporting events, offering an unrivalled educational experience to the student athletes who take part.
The world-famous sporting event between the UK’s two greatest universities has become synonymous with British tradition and excellence. The Boat Race has established itself as the epitome of amateur sport, raced by student athletes who combine academic rigour with elite physical prowess. There is no greater occasion.
The Boat Race takes place in London on the famous Championship Course that stretches over 4.25 miles of tidal Thames in West London between Putney and Mortlake.