Welcome to the home of punting. This website gives you a brief rundown on punting past and present and gives you a direct weblink to the punting clubs of the Thames (see links above). Punting is a great sport and we hope you will follow the links and before too long will be on the river. Regardless of whether you know how to punt and want to keep up the sport or want to learn all these clubs will ensure many happy days ahead!
Punting has a long and distinguished history in the UK. Most obviously associated with Oxford and Cambridge Universities, punting is practised on a number of rivers. The Thames is however the home of punting and apart from the colleges in Oxford and Cambridge there are a number of punting clubs along the Thames, from Wargrave to Teddington and who compete in regular regattas throughout the summer.
Punt racing developed in the 1880s. Thames Punting Club was formed in 1885 and though no longer a racing club itself it now functions as the sport's ruling body, setting both the rules for punting regattas and for setting the handicap of individual punters. Requests for copies of the rules and an application form to join the TPC as an individual member should be sent the Hon.Secretary, Elm Lawn, Staines Road, Laleham on Thames, TW18 2TD.
Racing punting is undertaken in either two-foot wide punts or the narrower Best and Best boats. There are mens, womens under 16 and mixed singles and doubles events. Racing is typically over a 600 metre course (split into either two or four lengths).
Click here to view the BBC News report about punting on the Thames (file size 5.3MB) which was broadcast in mid-2005. It gives a great introduction to the sport.