Lords and Commons Cup

24/01/2026

Forget Greenland, it's the Great Up-Down Debate that's generating the greatest heat round here. If I can summarise the state-of-the-nation...

🌊 The river's natural flow favours the ebb – Freshwater draining downstream from Teddington Lock (the fluvial flow) combines with the outgoing ebb tide, making it faster; during the flood tide, this same flow opposes the incoming current, slowing it down. But...
🌊 Ebb and flood tides are not equal – On the Upper Thames, the flood tide takes ~4.5 hours to come in, while the ebb tide takes ~8.5 hours to run out, creating fundamentally different racing conditions depending on which way you're travelling. And ...
🌊 The fastest water runs in the centre channel – Friction from the riverbed and banks slows water at the edges, so the deepest part of the river carries the strongest current—particularly noticeable on the ebb when combined flows concentrate there.

To cut through this complexity, Drew Fobbester has sung an excellent song. I highly recommend it. Have a listen to check if you are mentioned!
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An unofficial spoof video on the debate about whether we run the L&C cup upstream on the Flood tide or downstream on the Ebb. Against the Tide' is an amusin...

23/01/2026

Should the swimming race go downstream? As we usually swim the swoosh? Or upstream, like the Boat Race and the Great River Race?

The issues are intense and involve hydrological science of remarkable complexity.

So we're meeting in the pub to apply some collective wisdom. It'll likely be decided by the Race Director and the Safety Team, but we thought it would be fun to thrash out the issues over a pint.

Come join us at the Black Lion Pub in Hammersmith on Sunday 23rd at 16:00.

08/12/2025

We’ve donated a free ticket to the Lords and Commons Cup race in 2026 to The Outdoor Swimming Society’s Christmas Cracker campaign - and we wanted to tell you why.

For 20 years, OSS has been the heart of the UK’s outdoor swimming community. No membership fees. No paywalls. Just thousands of swimmers finding their people, sharing stories, and fighting for the Right to Swim.

They’ve kept everything free and open for everyone. And they only ask for support very, very occasionally.

Here’s how it works:

£5 = 1 entry to win incredible prizes (including our [PRIZE])
All funds keep OSS free and independent for another year
Someone’s going to win - it could be you!
The prizes include:

* First 10km Thames race since 1947 (that’s us!)
* Sold-out Bantham Swoosh tickets (plus 3 other iconic river swims)
* Two nights at Watergate Bay Hotel
* A day with OSS founder Kate Rew at Vallis Farm
* Dryrobe, Alpkit vouchers, home sauna tent, Hector Pardoe masterclass, and more

https://lnkd.in/etVD6k6D

Campaign closes December 21st at midnight.

Thanks for being part of our community - and good luck if you enter!

08/12/2025

We've donated a free ticket to the Lords and Commons Cup race in 2026 to The Outdoor Swimming Society's Christmas Cracker campaign - and we wanted to tell you why.

For 20 years, OSS has been the heart of the UK's outdoor swimming community. No membership fees. No paywalls. Just thousands of swimmers finding their people, sharing stories, and fighting for the Right to Swim.

They've kept everything free and open for everyone. And they only ask for support very, very occasionally.

Here's how it works:

£5 = 1 entry to win incredible prizes (including our [PRIZE])
All funds keep OSS free and independent for another year
Someone's going to win - it could be you!
The prizes include:

* First 10km Thames race since 1947 (that's us!)
* Sold-out Bantham Swoosh tickets (plus 3 other iconic river swims)
* Two nights at Watergate Bay Hotel
* A day with OSS founder Kate Rew at Vallis Farm
* Dryrobe, Alpkit vouchers, home sauna tent, Hector Pardoe masterclass, and more

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/the-outdoor-swimming-society-20-years-more #

Campaign closes December 21st at midnight.

Thanks for being part of our community - and good luck if you enter!

Outdoor Swimming Society

Support 20 years of The Outdoor Swimming Society and keep wild swimming free and independent – £5 tickets, money-can’t-buy swim prizes.

07/12/2025

Huge thanks to Robin Mortimer for inviting us to the Port of London Authority engagement event at House of Commons for a remarkable showcase of 2025’s achievements.

Huge endorsements from Thames MP’s including Jim Dickson (Dartford) and Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall), and from the Minister for Maritime, Aviation and Security, Mike Kane MP.

The L&CSC team led by Toby Robinson OLY are now working in close partnership with the PLA team led by Adam Layer to secure a licence for the Lords and Commons Cup race in 2026. Huge thanks to all involved.

Thanks also for the warm welcome from Chief Harhourmaster James Stride (pictured) who briefed us on developments in their thinking on swimming in the Tidal Thames. We are hopeful that safe swimming in the Tidal Thames can gain a positive role in the Port of London’s plans for the future.

07/12/2025

Huge thanks to Robin Mortimer for inviting us to the Port of London Authority engagement event at UK House of Lords for a remarkable showcase of 2025's achievements.

Huge endorsements from Thames MP's including Jim Dickson (Dartford) and Florence Eshalomi (Vauxhall), and from the Minister for Maritime, Aviation and Security, Mike Kane MP.

The Lords and Commons Cup team led by Toby Robinson OLY are now working in close partnership with the PLA team led by Adam Layer to secure a licence for the Lords and Commons Cup race in 2026. Huge thanks to all involved.

Thanks also for the warm welcome from Chief Harhourmaster James Stride (pictured) who briefed us on developments in their thinking on swimming in the Tidal Thames. We are hopeful that safe swimming in the Tidal Thames can gain a positive role in the Port of London's plans for the future.

03/12/2025

Still smiling after making history 😄⚡️

Elite athletes, keen open water swimmers, one iconic route to Hammersmith Bridge… the Lords & Commons Cup is back and it was magic 🏆✨

An honour to share the water with legends, teammates, and all the brave (and slightly chilly) souls who showed up 🙌

Tag yourself & your fellow swimmers — and tell us: who’s joining us next year? 👀🌊💙

20/11/2025

Kick starting the future of The Lords and Commons Cup 🏆

This week & hosted olympians, swimmers and clean river swimmer advocates alike at the River Room in the House of Lords to announce the exciting future of the Lords and Commons Cup.

Our 2025 race took place this September down the Thames and was won by and .crisp

Watch this space for exciting updates on the year to come.