Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge

The Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge

The Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge (DMRC) will start rowing from Rotterdam, via Vlissingen to London, a distance of 350 kilometers to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Royal Netherlands Navy Marine Corps. The project is a fundraiser for retired Marines who have experienced hardship, possible got hurt during their missions but also a fundraiser to aid the relatives of fellow retired marines.

On September 5th 2015, more than 100 retired Marines will start with 9 sloops in a missing man formation from Rotterdam for their monster tour. Once on the North Sea, the tour will firstly go to Vlissingen for a ceremonial stop at the statue of their founder, Michiel de Ruyter, after which they will cross the sea to Sheerness. From Sheerness the DMRC will row up the River Thames to Tower Bridge which will mark the finish line for the challenge. However, this will not mark the end of the row for them as they will continue to row another 30 Kilometers with 300+ other rowing boats as participants of the Great River Race.

Saturday 12 September

Come to see the Grand Finale of the Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge from Tower Bridge or St Katharine Docks where the Marine Corps Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy will perform to honour the crews who will have arrived having rowed direct from the Netherlands. The estimated arrival time of the crews is 11.30am.

A great number of Dutch family, friends and supporters are anticipated to gather here to hail the arrival of DMRC who will then continue as part of the Great River Race to the finish line at Ham in Richmond. It will be quite an occasion!

When the boats have passed supporters will either head to the finish line or stay at St Katharine Docks for the Classic Boat Festival.

Sunday 13 September

As well as all the exciting events and opportunities to see many different styles of boats at the Classic Boat Festival there will also be another opportunity to hear the Marine Corps Band of the Royal Netherlands Navy give a rousing performance, this time in the docks.