Boating from Putney

The Committee is reliant on the goodwill and assistance of the Authorities at Putney for the race to continue with the same number of visiting crews.

Putney embankment is busy on race day with over 200 crews boating from there, so if you are a visiting crew boating from any of the clubs along Putney Embankment and are planning to trail boats to and from the race, please ensure your driver and crew members have read, and follow, the following instructions.

Volunteer Marshals, Race Officials, the Police, Traffic Wardens and Council Officials will be on site, and providing directions. They must be obeyed at all times and treated with courtesy and respect.

All crews from any club whose representatives do not conform to the these rules, will be subject to sanctions up to and including disqualification and may be refused entry in future years.

PLEASE NOTE: Parking arrangements for the Fours Head differ from those for other heads at Putney in that we ask you to keep trailers on site and use them as boat racks. This is to keep the road as clear as possible. No vehicles can remain parked on the Embankment unless permitted. Unauthorised vehicles will be removed by Wandsworth BC and a fee will be required for their release.

Towing vehicle and trailer access

A one way system will be in place on race day, managed by Volunteer Marshals. Towing vehicles and trailers must only enter the Embankment via Thames Place (by the Duke’s Head pub). The road is closed to all other vehicles.

Trailers are to be parked on the RIVER side of the road. Incorrectly parked trailers must be moved before unloading begins. Refusal to comply may result in sanctions or disqualification by the Race Committee.

Race officials will be present on the day managing distribution of trailers along the Embankment and directing where they should be parked. Trailers will not necessarily be parked close to host clubs because controlling overcrowding and managing safety is the greater concern. Please park as directed.

Before and during the race

Clear road access needs to be maintained at all times along the full length of the Embankment in case the Emergency Services require access. It has happened in the past, and is in the interests of rowers and their supporters to ensure that the roadway is kept clear.

Equipment must not block the road at any time. This is an important safety requirement. This includes boats being offloaded from trailers. Rigging boats in the roadway is not allowed; there is space reserved on pavements and in parking bays for boat and equipment preparation. Rigged boats should be returned to and racked on trailers as far as possible.

The pavement alongside Leaders Gardens is cordoned off, and must be kept clear for pedestrian access. Lots of children use the park and this is a specific request from the Council. Boats, equipment and baggage must not obstruct the pathway.

Tow vehicles must leave as quickly as possible once their trailer is parked and equipment unloaded.

• Free parking is available within 10 minutes walk on Putney’s streets, a map is available here: Putney Parking zones.
• Parking has also been arranged at the London Wetland Centre in Queen Elizabeth Walk, Barnes, SW13 9WT. We have been allocated bay 12 which is the last bay on the right hand side (adjacent to the road) as you drive in: https://w3w.co/ledge.honey.tender. The bay has eight marked spaces, and room to park along the side, opposite the spaces. If all space is already taken, then you can park in the adjacent bay.
  The Wetland Centre car park will be open from 9.30am-4.30pm after which the car park will be LOCKED. The car park is a brisk 10 minute walk along the river path, back to the Embankment.

After the race

Clubs that did not boat from Putney MAY NOT bring trailers to Putney after the race to collect crews. Medical emergencies are the ONLY exception to this rule. Crews must return to the location where they boated.

Crews must derig their boats immediately after the race. They should not go off and change first. Space on the Embankment is very limited and it is not fair on later returning crews if their path is blocked by boats abandoned on trestles on the hard.

For the 2022 race, towing vehicles may not return to collect trailers until 14:00. This delay is dictated for safety reasons to prevent confusion between crews still disembarking post race and moving vehicles.

Trailers must already be fully loaded and ready to go before the towing vehicle returns.

Drivers must move carefully and with regard to the busy environment.

Trailers leaving the Embankment must follow the instructions of race officials. Exit routes are via Festing Road, Glendarvon Road and Thames Place. Volunteer marshals will be on hand to assist with directions.

Click here for a map of Putney Embankment.