London Otters Rowing Club’s largest ever Rainbow Races event raises £950 for Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline

London Otters RC, the UK’s only LGBTQ+ inclusive rowing club, held its largest ever Rainbow Races charity event on Saturday, October 19, which saw over 100 rowers from more than 11 different clubs race to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in rowing and raise over £950 for Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline.

Rowers from the LGBTQ+ community and allies took part in 500-metre sprint side-by-side races in eights and quads at the Royal Albert Dock in East London.

The crews, who were put together just for the day, wore coloured t-shirts to make the design of the Pride and Trans Pride flags in their boats.

Across six heats and two finals, the day saw some exciting races and close finishes. The crews were assembled just for the day out of rowers from different clubs, but once in the boats, competitive spirits took over and participants were there to win!

The Chief Umpire for the day was Grant ‘Ralphie’ Ralph, club co-founder and trustee, who also serves as an umpire for British Rowing regattas around the country. Rowers were directed by club captain Michael Whitcher and club fundraising officer Robbie Bond among others.

The event was supported by the Royal Docks Watersports Centre, which hosted Rainbow Races at the Royal Albert Dock in East London, the club’s base since its founding. Local café the Dockside got in on the action, donating 25% of their revenue from the day to Switchboard.

Saskia Budgett Delray – a Team GB European medallist and 2020 Olympic reserve, who took part in Rainbow Races for the first time this year, said: “I first heard of the Otters in 2019 through Instagram, and thought it’s so cool that there’s a club dedicated to LGBTQ+ people.

“Since then I’ve wanted to come down but was always very busy with GB rowing. It’s great to be here and around so many queer people and allies, and it’s a great event to mix rowing with the queer world and have everyone come together. Our race was very dramatic: we went off the start and [nearly] crashed straight away, which was part of the fun, and then we restarted it and came second! It was good to be back in a boat again.

“It’s great to show representation in sport and have everyone come together and support each other; having the queer community around is really important, whatever space you’re in, to know that there’s other people there.”

Joanna Reziak, who learned to row with the London Otters in 2022 and won the quad sculls final, said: “I’m so happy I took part in this year’s Rainbow Races. I’ve learnt to row with the London Otters almost three years ago and would definitely not expect back then that I would be confident enough to compete and survive a 500m race. Events like this are not only a beautiful way to support the community, but also a great opportunity to grow as rowers in a friendly, supportive environment.”

Alex Jones, the club’s chair and one of its trustees, added: “At London Otters, we’re incredibly proud to host our largest ever Rainbow Races this year, bringing together over 100 rowers from across the country to celebrate LGBTQ+ inclusion in rowing.

“This event showcases the spirit of our club – community, diversity, and pride – while raising vital funds for Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline, a charity that has been a lifeline for the queer community for decades.”

London Otters Rowing Club was founded in 2014 with just a handful of people as a way to help LGBTQ+ people get into the sport and enjoy it in a welcoming and inclusive environment, and has grown into one of the UK’s largest rowing clubs with over 200 active members.

Since 2017 the club has held an annual Rainbow Races event, inspired by Stonewall’s Rainbow Laces campaign, to support LGBTQ+ inclusion in rowing and to raise money for charitable causes. This year the chosen charity was Switchboard LGBT+ Helpline, which has been supporting the queer community in the UK since 1974.

All pics London Otters Rowing Club/Yoan Graignic.