Thames it like Beckham! High-speed boat ride to jet tourists through London at 40mph

Anyone who watched David Beckham commandeering a speedboat down the Thames as part of the opening ceremony for the Olympic Games last summer will soon have a chance to follow in his wake.
A new boat ride, Thames Rockets, takes to the waters of the capital's river at the end of July and will whizz passengers past London's famous sights at speeds of up to 40mph.
Starting from St Katharine's Dock, passengers will be taken on a 40-minute journey east to the Thames Barrier, while listening to snippets from The Beatles, Boris Johnson and the theme from Eastenders.

Thrilling: Passengers are kitted out in waterproofs and lifejackets before boarding the 12-metre long red speedboat, which reaches speeds of 40mph

Thames Rockets is the brainchild of London RIB Voyages’ Charlie Matheson - the first entrepreneur to bring speedboat attractions to the Thames - and will operate in the river's new 'High Speed Zone'.
The 12-metre long aero-dynamically designed fibreglass boat will be the first public boat to operate in the zone, which was introduced last July.

Holding a torch for Mr Beckham: David jetted along the Thames at the opening ceremony of the Olympic Games

Passengers will be kitted out in bespoke waterproofs and lifejackets before boarding, and during the ride will listen to the chimes of Big Ben, the theme tune from Eastenders, Thunderbirds, Robbie Williams, England’s World Cup win and the Beatles, as well as soundbites from a number of famous Brits including Winston Churchill and Boris Johnson.
'We're giving thrillseekers an exciting, unforgettable boat ride experience with a difference, which really celebrates the capital and all that's great about Britain,' said Mr Matheson.

Jetting off: The boat departs hourly from the Thames Rockets Launch Pad at St Katherine's Dock to the Thames Barrier, every Saturday and Sunday and on selected weekdays

Iconic: The voyage will take passengers past the sights of London such as Tower Bridge (above) and the Cutty Sark to a very British soundtrack

“The witty soundtrack touches on all that is amusing about our nation. Politics, sporting events and entertainment are all highlighted and paint a picture of British history as the Rocket races across the water."
Thames Rockets will pass The Cutty Sark, The O2 and Greenwich to the Thames Barrier before heading back to its launch pad at St Katharine's dock, a round trip of 20 miles in total.

The ride, which launches on Saturday July 27, seats 12 passengers and is recommended for children aged 10 and over. There is SCOPE access so it can be experienced by people with disabilities.

Tickets for a Thames Rockets ride from July 22 cost £39.95 per adult and £29.95 per child (aged 10-14). A  couples ticket cost £75, family £135 (two adults and two children). Charter £425.

The boat departs hourly from Thames Rockets Launch Pad at St Katherine’s Dock to the Thames Barrier, every Saturday and Sunday and on selected weekdays. Passengers will receive a 20 per cent off voucher for friends/family to return. Pre-booking essential.

Visit www.londonribvoyages.com/thamesrockets or call 0207 928 8933.