Great River Race

Boat Hire Package for the Great River Race (GRR)

Basic Boat package:

1. Equipment: 8-oared skerry, plus 8 oars, one rudder, two boat hooks, and safety kit (a throwline and first aid kit), and 10 personal flotation devices (for the cox, 8 rowers and the passenger).

2. Tow to start, recovery at the end: the package includes the skerry being towed to the start of the GRR in Shadwell and recovery from Ham of the skerry back to the moorings at Richmond at the end of the event.

3. People: There must be a named person who is the responsible person ‘in charge’ of the boat and crew – usually this will be the cox. Whilst the skerry is an 8-oared boat, it can be rowed with less, however, we require a minimum of 6 rowers, plus the cox (the person ‘in charge’ and responsible for the boat and crew) plus a passenger (carrying a passenger is a requirement of the GRR – please check the GRR regulations around restrictions as to who this person can be.

a. The cox: if you do NOT have anyone who is sufficiently competent as a cox, we may be able to provide someone, but this will be separate from the dry-hire package (see below for costs). 

4. Two familiarisation sessions prior to the GRR: you must book with us to take the skerry out with your crew prior to the event – two, three-hour sessions are included within the package and includes a cox/coach from S4S to show you the ropes. These sessions are REQUIRED as part of the hire to ensure hirer competence and cannot be omitted. If you would like further sessions, these can be provided separately – see below for costs.

5. Liabilities: we will provide full insurance cover, BUT you will be required to make an upfront payment of £300 to cover any damage (where that damage is up to £300) caused to the boat or equipment resulting from the hire, but limited to £300 to cover the insurance excess where the damage is greater than £300 and a claim is required.

6. Entry fees: The GRR charge an entry fee to take part in the GRR – these fees are NOT covered in the boat package and must be paid for and arranged separately by the hirer.

Costs:

1. Please contact us for the charge for the basic package above.

2. If you would like more than the two, three-hour sessions, that are included and required as part of the package, we can offer further sessions prior to the Great River Race and charge per two-hour session for the boat and equipment hire.

3. If you require a cox/coach for any additional sessions (beyond the two included in the package), they will be charged per two-hour session, in addition to the hire charge noted in point 2 above.

4. If you require a cox for the GRR itself: we will try to accommodate you – if we are able to, there will be another fee for a cox.