The Company of
Watermen & Lightermen
of the River Thames

Race Course

The Doggett’s Wager is rowed over 4 miles and 7 furlongs (7, 400 metres) on the course chosen by Sir Thomas Doggett in 1715 – from the Old Swan Tavern at London Bridge to the Swan Inn in Chelsea. Sadly, neither of these establishments exist anymore, but the start and finish points remain the same, and so the Wager is raced from London Bridge to Cadogan Pier (Chelsea).

To view a map of the course click here.

Until 1873, competitors rowed against the tide and there are stories of the race taking over two hours to complete! Since then it has been rowed with the tide and is usually completed in 25 to 30 minutes.
The course record is held by Bobby Prentice, now Bargemaster to the Fishmongers’ Company and Upper Warden of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, who completed the course in 23 minutes and 22 seconds in 1973 .