Downstream

race because of heavy rain,
fast currents and ‘excess
debris’ in the river. Around
thirty to forty people enter
each Thames race: ‘it’s a
social affair with a dinner
afterwards, a lot are London-
based, and we have a coach
that takes them to the race.’
James has never known
anyone to get ill, ‘except once
in the half-mile a man, a good
swimmer, died of a heart
attack. You’re more likely to