Starting Line Basics for River Racing

Small river, narrow course, big opportunities

Starting a race on the Thames is very different from lining up on a wide lake or at sea. There, you might have acres of space, a long start line and clean, steady breeze. On the Thames you get… well… a surprisingly narrow stretch of river, a start line barely wider than a tennis court, a stream that won’t behave, and gusts arriving through random gaps in the trees.

And yet, river racing starts are some of the most satisfying to get right. A good start puts you in clean air, ahead of the chaos, and gives you the best chance of staying out of trouble on that crucial first beat.

Here are the basics every river sailor should know.

1. Know Which End Is Favourable

On the sea, the “biased” end of the line is usually obvious.

On a river, the bias often comes from stream, not wind.

Look for:

Stronger stream at one end (making it harder to hold position).
Shelter from trees at the other (giving uneven wind).
Windward end if the wind leans even a little up the river.

Often the pin end is more upwind. Sometimes the box end is.
Sometimes neither is and the only rule becomes: “Avoid the hole in the wind near the trees.”

Start where there is pressure, not where everyone else is queueing.

2. Don’t Get Sucked Over the Line

The Thames stream does not care about starting rules. If it’s flowing strongly, it will drag you merrily over the line before the gun unless you pay attention.

To stay back:

Keep the boat slightly angled to hold position.
Use gentle backwards rudder to “feather” into place.
Maintain a trickle of sail power to stop drifting.
Avoid sitting directly in front of the start hut unless you enjoy being shouted at.

If you do drift over early, don’t panic—just dip back quickly and clearly.

3. Always Start in Clean Air

Clean wind on a river is precious. Start behind another boat and you’ll spend your first 100 metres inhaling their wind shadow like a sleepy vacuum cleaner.

Aim to start:

In your own lane
With space to leeward so you can bear away if needed
Away from the tall tree line that kills breeze

Being in the breeze matters more than being at the “favoured” end.
Momentum beats geometry on the Thames.

4. Build Speed Early

On a narrow river, you can’t afford a slow acceleration. If you start the race half-stalled, you’ll drift sideways into the nearest bank or mooring before you know it.

From 15 seconds to go:

Bear away slightly
Generate flow over the sail
Keep the rudder movements tiny
Trim in as you accelerate
Look up the course for gust lines

A boat at full speed at the gun will always beat a boat stalled on the line, even if the stalled boat is perfectly positioned.

5. Beware the Shifty Nature of River Wind

Just because the wind is blowing up the river during the 5-minute sequence doesn’t mean it will still be doing so when the gun goes.

Expect:

Sudden wind holes near trees
Random gusts from 30 degrees off
Pressure lines that appear and vanish

Your start plan should be flexible, not fixed.
If a gust appears near the pin, head for the pin. If the middle suddenly fills with breeze, go there.

6. Avoid Crowded Clumps

The start line is short. If six boats decide they all want to start at the same end, give them the space they seem determined to occupy and choose the other end.

A clear, uncrowded start with speed is better than a perfect line position in gridlock.

7. Watch the Stream Angle Across the Line

If the stream is diagonal, your boat will get pushed sideways as well as backwards.

Adjust by:

Starting further upstream/laterally from where you want to exit the line
Pointing slightly up-river to compensate
Using quick sheets in/out to keep balance

The goal is to exit the line on a stable course, not immediately drifting into the bank.

8. Communicate With Your Crew

A well-timed call from the crew—“Ten seconds”, “Good pressure to leeward”, “Boat to windward slowing”—makes all the difference.

A distracted helm is a slow helm.
A stressed crew is an honest crew.

Work as a team.

9. Practise Holding Station

On a river, holding the boat in one place while waiting for the gun is a real art.

Try this drill:

Point the boat slightly towards the wind
Sheet in just enough to resist the stream
Use tiny rudder movements to “feather”
Practise drifting backwards under control

Once you can do this calmly, you’ll feel far more confident on the start line.

Final Thoughts

Starting on the Thames is a balance of wind, stream, timing and nerve. It’s never the same twice, and that’s part of the fun. Get it right and the race opens beautifully in front of you. Get it wrong and at least you’ll have a great story for the bar afterwards.

Next time you’re on the line, look for pressure, stay patient, build speed… and trust that the river will eventually reward you.

pmr sailing

Thursday, 11 December 2025