Richard Langdon images from 'Bourne End Week'

12:07 PM Wed 27 May 2009 GMT

'Thames A Raters racing on the Thames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club' Richard Langdon &copy Click Here to view large photo

Background: Not long after the idea of leisure sailing came to be accepted as a fine thing for English gentlemen to indulge in, the Thames Sailing Club came into being in 1870, and the Thames Rater was born.

This is a three handed dinghy (called a 'yacht' in the rules) designed for the particular conditions of the Upper Thames. It has a very tall rig, supported by standing rigging and two runners. The hull is extremely fast, planes easily, and the boat is quite a challenge to sail in anything more than moderate wind conditions.

After the Thames Sailing Club, several other clubs were spawned, ensuring ongoing competition between the boats. The most famous meeting of all is that which occurs in 'Bourne End Week', around the last weekend in May, making a splendid sight and experience for watchers.

Our thanks to photographer Richard Langdon for these images of the event. Richard's website - www.oceanimages.co.uk/

Thames A Raters racing on the Thames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club - Richard Langdon&copy Click Here to view large photo

Thames A Raters racing on the Tames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club - Richard Langdon&copy Click Here to view large photo

Thames A Raters racing on the Thames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club - Richard Langdon&copy Click Here to view large photo

Thames A Raters sailing on the Thames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club - Richard Langdon&copy Click Here to view large photo

Thames A Raters racing on the Thames during Bourne End Week. - Bourne End Week-Upper Thames Sailing Club - Richard Langdon&copy Click Here to view large photo

by Lisa Mylchreest/Thames Sailing Club