As the 2025 Boat Race approaches, we had the pleasure of speaking with Odhran, a junior rower and long-standing member of Fulham Reach Boat Club, who trains on the very same stretch of the Thames where the iconic race takes place.
In this blog, Odhran shares his insights into the Boat Race—its history, athlete selection process, and why it continues to hold such significance. He also reflects on his own journey into rowing, from taking part in a learn-to-row course at age 13 to competing in national-level races. His story captures the true spirit of junior rowing on the Tideway.
Whether you’re a long-time fan of the Boat Race or just curious about how to get involved in rowing, this is a must-read from someone who lives and breathes the sport.
What Is the Boat Race?
The Boat Race is one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious sporting rivalries, held annually between Oxford and Cambridge Universities.
First contested in 1829, it officially became an annual event in 1856 and is now watched by millions around the world.
In its early days, the race was from Westminster to Putney, then later was moved upstream to the Championship Course, a 6.8km stretch of the Thames from Putney to Chiswick—often referred to as “the Tideway.”
Selection for the Boat Race Crews
For aspiring athletes at Oxford and Cambridge, making it into the Boat Race crew is a process that starts as early as September. With only 8 seats available in each of the top boats, and another 8 in the reserve crews, competition is fierce.
Selection involves testing both on the water and the rowing machines (ergs), consisting of seat racing and 5ks, alongside training camps in countries like Italy or Portugal.
To help the coaches know about an athlete’s ability on race day, both universities will take part in fixtures against many other crews from around the UK and even the Dutch Crew, which involves the boats racing from Putney to Hammersmith, then a second one from Hammersmith to Putney.
Oxford and Cambridge do not race each other until the big day—the Boat Race itself, which in 2025 falls on 13 April.
Oxford and Cambridge would not race each other in these fixtures or head to head in any race apart from a few head races throughout the season and the primary boat race. Then the race day approaches, and the whole world watches 32 athletes work for 8 months, for a race that ends within 18 minutes of rowing.
This year the Boat Race falls on 13 April.
Rowing the Tideway: Odhran’s Story with Fulham Reach Boat Club
He first joined FRBC at 13 during an Easter learn-to-row course and never looked back. Within seven months, he competed in his first race in a coxed quad. Since then, he has become part of the junior race squad, which has grown from just 10 members to over 50 strong. And now involved with national races, including:
- Schools’ Head of the River
- National Schools Regatta
- Henley Royal Regatta (FRBC was one of the first three clubs to race in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup)
I now follow rowing closely even being apart of a crew in Dublin, Ireland, Neptune rowing club, racing for them and meeting other junior boys with different experiences to living in the UK.
Odhran
Training on the Championship Course
Fulham Reach Boat Club is based near the halfway mark of the Championship Course, offering the rare chance to train exactly where the Boat Race unfolds and other stretches of the river. You’ll row past some of the UK’s top rowing clubs, including:
- St Paul’s School Boat Club
- Tideway Scullers
- Thames RC
- Barnes Bridge Ladies
- Emmanuel School
- Latymer Upper
Along the way, you’ll pass markers like Putney, Hammersmith Bridge, Harrods Wall, Chiswick Pier, Kew Gardens and more. It’s an ever-changing stretch of river with challenging currents and stunning views.
It now tailors for coastal rowers too, with the introduction of coastal boats as part of the boathouse.
The Boat Race
From watching the Boat Race on TV to rowing the very same waters, Odhran’s journey through Fulham Reach Boat Club has been transformational.
Whether you’re just starting out or looking to race competitively, rowing on the Tideway offers an unmatched experience.
If you’re inspired by the legacy of the Boat Race, there’s no better place to start your own story than with Fulham Reach Boat Club.
