In 2024 a new sports initiative took place, The Youth Boat Race; the race provided a unique and powerful opportunity for locally based youth rowers to become a part of the historic and high-profile sporting event that is The Boat Race.
The race took place in the week leading up to the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race and welcomed young rowers from seven local schools in the West London area as they competed compete on the iconic Boat Race course.
This inaugural Youth Boat Race not only provided a platform for young athletes to shine but also reinforced the enduring community spirit and sporting excellence that The Boat Race embodies. The event was a joint endeavour between Fulham Reach Boat Club, a community rowing club based in Hammersmith, and The Boat Race
The Boat Race hopes more young people from the local communities surrounding the course, will engage with the event and even consider giving rowing a go at one of the rowing clubs based on The Championship Course. This first race day welcomed 32 local students from seven local state schools onto the Thames, under the watchful eyes of official Boat Race umpires, Sir Matthew Pinsent and Judith Packer.
Following on from the success of this first event, more London community clubs have been invited to take part.