The Great River Race, London

River-going craft of all shapes and sizes are set to compete to be named 2007 UK Traditional Boat Champions this weekend.

The event is expected to attract 275 craft with gigs, skiffs, canoes, longboats, Irish Curraghs, shallops, wherries, whalers and specially constructed replicas of the first boats to ever contest the Oxford versus Cambridge boat race are all expected to be represented.

The sole condition of entry is that boats are powered by a minimum of four oars or paddles and are not equipped with sliding seats or riggers.

In order to ensure parity, boats will set off according to a handicap system whereby the slowest boats will leave first.

Rock musician Sting will start the race at Ham House in Richmond at 12.55, with the first boat deemed likely to arrive at the finish line in Island Gardens in Greenwich at just after 16:00 BST.

The event is free to attend.

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