Rowing
It is the oldest rowing race in the world. Thomas Doggett, joint manager of Drury Lane Theatre, was rescued by a Thames "Waterman" after falling overboard and in gratitude, offered a wager to young Watermen in their first year of freedom, of a traditional red Watermens' coat with a silver badge "representing Liberty", to commemorate the 1 August 1714 accession of George I of the House of Hanover.