Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge

A team of both active and post active Dutch marines will row from Rotterdam, via Vlissingen to London this September, a 350km journey to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the founding of the Korps Mariniers (Royal Netherlands Marine Corps) in 1665. The objective is a fundraiser to help marines either disabled or traumatised.The Dutch Marines Rowing Challenge (DMRC) will begin at Rotterdam's Erasmus Bridge on 5 September and finish at London's Tower Bridge on 12 September. The marines will then take part in the 34km Great River Race on the Thames that's often described as London's River Marathon, and last year attracted over 330 crews from all over the globe. The DMRC has aroused tremendous interest and support in the Netherlands and is backed by the Dutch Navy, celebrities, businesses, Dutch provinces, Marine Corps commandant General Richard Oppelaar, and Rotterdam's mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb. In the UK, the Royal Marines and London's port authorities are supporting the project, which will include a visit from the huge Dutch Navy landing craft Johan de Witt that will escort the rowers across the Channel. The DMRC has its own website - www.dmrc.nl - and interested individuals or businesses can sponsor skiffs, among other opportunities.