Once they’re off, the rowers follow the Thames up through six famous bridges. You’ve got Hammersmith, Barnes, and Chiswick—places where people in posh flats wave their handkerchiefs. Every bridge has a nickname. For example, Barnes Railway Bridge is called “The Biscuit Tin” because it’s shaped like one.
The big drama happens at Chiswick Eyot, a tiny island that splits the river into two channels. If you pick the wrong side here, you’ll hit a sandbank and basically lose. In 1984, Cambridge famously rowed straight into it, losing by nearly 10 seconds. Sand is tough, folks.
The Boat Race London: What It Is & Why It’s Worth Seeing at Easter
Oh, and the boats? They’re called “eights,” and they’re absurdly expensive. A single shell costs around £30,000. That’s more than a small car, and it breaks if you sneeze too hard. They even have to be carried by small vans with special cradles.
