Welcome to your July edition of the Active Thames newsletter. As a reminder, we will use this mailing to keep you in the loop on key projects we’re working on, Active Thames updates and insights, Port of London Authority (PLA) notices to the wider community, and more. Please do send us your own updates as well, as we're keen to highlight the great work you're doing with the broader community!
Club Spotlight
London Youth Rowing - Oarsome Challenge
London Youth Rowing (LYR) recently delivered their very successful fundraising event Oarsome Challenge, which supports their nationwide programmes to get young people active through rowing. In fixed seat rowing boats, participants rowed through Central London, from the Isle of Dogs to Chiswick Bridge. In total, 280 people took part and raised over £70,000.
Three times Olympic Champion, Andy Triggs-Hodge, was closely involved with the event:
“Oarsome Challenge a great day out, bringing colleagues and friends together to support a great cause, learn a little about themselves – and each other – and see London from a unique perspective. It’s fantastic to see the sport connecting with people who wouldn’t normally row, watching them complete a great challenge with a smile on their face, and seeing their pride about what they’ve just achieved.”
Entries for 2026 are already open! Everyone is welcome regardless of experience, even those who have never rowed before. Join to discover your team, discover your ability, and discover London.
This year, Curlew Rowing Club was able to send their largest ever entry to Henley Women's Regatta 2025, supporting 14 athletes across two categories: the Copas Cup for Aspirational Club Eights and the Frank V Harry Trophy for Development Coxed Fours.
The entry for the latter event was largely facilitated by the club’s purchase of a lightweight Vespoli coxed four in April, made possible with help of an Active Thames grant. The crew entered into this entry-level event was made up of women from the club's development squad, three of whom had recently successfully graduated from Learn To Row programs. On the day of the event, they boated for the qualification time trial and rowed their best race yet, with months of hard work culminating in a fantastic run down the course!
With the addition of the coxed four to their fleet, Curlew Rowing Club will, in future years, be able to continue sending their development rowers to this event at Henley Women’s Regatta, accelerating the novice to senior rowing pathway within the club, especially for those learning to row as adults rather than through the traditional university route. Active Thames funding has enabled them to continue to grow and develop their women’s squad and increase the profile and availability of women’s rowing in East London.
Funding
Go! London
Go! Londn provides funding for community organisations that deliver sport and physical activity opportunities for underserved young Londoners aged 4–24. Grants of up to £40,00 are now available for projects that increase activity levels and create wider benefits.
This fund supports projects to create and improve green and blue infrastructure in London. Over £12m of funding is available over three years. Local authorities and not-for-profit organisations can apply for a grant of £10,000 to £500,000.
The Kent County Council Capital Grant for Sport is open for applications. Administered by Active Kent & Medway, the grant is open to voluntary sports clubs, registered charities, schools, governing bodies of sport and parish councils who are looking to improve facilities in order to develop and widen participation in sporting activities across the county.
A reminder that the Port of London Authority’s Thames Environment Fund is still open for applications and will close at 5pm on 29 August. Projects may request a maximum of £15,000, with £50,000 worth of funding available this year. We welcome all project ideas that provide an environmental benefit to the tidal Thames.
The Thames Environment Fund has supported 20 projects in the last four years, providing £130,000 of funding in total. Several clubs have already benefitted from funding including:
Fulham Reach Boat Club, Putney Town Rowing Club, Auriol Kensington Rowing Club, Greenwich Yacht Club, Furnivall Sculling Club, and London Sports Trust
Participants can also enter a raffle, with some amazing prizes on offer: a kayaking session, a paddleboarding session (both courtesy of our project partner Active360) or a meal for two with a bottle of wine at the OXO Tower Brasserie in London (courtesy of our partner OXO Tower). Even more reason to pick up a litter picker and get involved!
Partner Spotlight
Canal and River Trust
Canal and River Trust are running a series of walks over the summer months. All are welcome to join these fun and friendly walks for an opportunity to spend time outside, meet new people, and discover some of the history of the canals and the surrounding areas. The walk leader is a qualified historian with a lot of knowledge and experience.
Last week we launched a new water safety campaign highlighting the hidden risks of playing, swimming, or paddling too close to the river’s edge.
A powerful safety film warning children and their parents about the dangers of the tidal River Thames titled ‘Stay Back, Stay Out, Stay Safe’ is the centrepiece of the campaign. This work also aligns with World Drowning Prevention Day last Friday, further amplifying our message and supporting the global effort towards drowning prevention.
As part of the campaign, a toolkit was designed to make it as straight-forward as possible to get involved. It includes: social media assets, multi-language communications, and posters available for print. Please do spread these resources amongst your networks.
Lessons Learned: Sailing Boat Collision with Navigational Buoy
A 27ft sailing boat collided head-on with a green starboard hand buoy in the Thames Estuary while en route from Queenborough to Bradwell-on-Sea. Travelling at 4.5 knots under engine in heavy rain, the vessel sustained significant bow damage, though the buoy remained largely unscathed. Thanks to prior hull modifications isolating the chain locker from the rest of the vessel, water ingress was prevented.
Key Factors
Poor visibility due to heavy rain.
Helmsman moved to a lower cockpit position, reducing visibility.
Navigator was below deck, limiting lookout and communication.
Actions Taken The crew diverted to Brightlingsea for temporary repairs and assessment.
Recommendations
In poor weather, prioritise maintaining a good lookout even if it requires protective gear.
Considering anchoring and waiting out the bad weather if visibility is compromised.
Keep constant communication between helm and navigator.
Review weather forecasts before departure and consider postponing your trip if the weather conditions aren't suitable.
Plan for contingencies, including safe anchorages and diversion ports.
Harbour Master’s Reminder Under Thames Byelaw 8 all vessel Masters (skippers) are required to report incidents to London VTS on the appropriate VHF channel as soon as practicable:
Teddington to Crayfordness: VHF 14
Crayfordness to Sea Reach No. 4: VHF 68
Sea Reach No. 4 to Outer Limits: VHF 69
In an emergency, always contact HM Coastguard on VHF 16 or by dialling 999.
