Crowds were out in force early, lining the banks of the River Thames ahead of this afternoon’s (Saturday) 153rd Boat Race, sponsored by Xchanging.

And they have come from many corners of the globe to catch a glimpse of what they all agree is a unique sporting event.

“I’ve seen it in films and watched it on TV, but I wanted to see it for real,” said Carolina Minguillon, a 32-year-old scientist from Barcelona in Spain.

“It’s such a great idea because it’s a traditional race. This is your culture and history and it’s important to celebrate that.”

Minguillon, who currently lives in Muswell Hill in north London while she completes a five-year stint working in London, added that this was her last chance to see the race before she returns to Barcelona next year.

Her friend, Angel Perez, a 32-year-old project manager, has only been in London for a week, but he also knows about the race. Perez, who lives in Barcelona, is supporting Oxford today because they train in Banyoles, in Girona, the venue for the 1992 Barcelona Olympic rowing events.

“We always hear in the news that Oxford have come to Banyoles,” he said. “I love sport, especially water sports, so I had to come to see the race while I was in London.”

For Richard Fagan, Phil Humphries, Ted Jones and Mike Saleh, the Boat Race is less a must-see event than an excuse to be out in the sun drinking beer. Humphries, Jones and Saleh are all Australians, while Fagan is from New Zealand.

“Everyone knows about the Boat Race back home,” said Saleh, from Sydney. “But to be honest we came down here because we knew it was going to be a nice day.

“Actually, we thought it was starting at 1.30,” he added. “We were misled by a guy at work.

“But we don’t mind because the weather’s nice and we have a good spot to watch it when things get going.”

“Any excuse to go to an event in London and have some fun, we take it,” agreed Humphries.

Fun aside, the four have all picked a side to support – Saleh and Jones opting for Cambridge, “because I’ve been there and I haven’t been to Oxford”, with Fagan and Humphries picking Oxford, for similar esoteric reasons.

“The winners may get water poured on them,” laughed Fagan, as he pulled open another beer from his cooler.

For John Reeve and his family the road to the Thames embankment was a little shorter. Reeve, 79, lives in nearby Reigate, in Surrey, and always watches the Boat Race on TV. “This time I just decided to come and see it live instead,” he said.

“I thought they should have the experience,” he added, gesturing to his wife, Ivy and daughters, Ursula and Sylvia, settled on chairs behind the embankment railings.

“It’s a tradition, isn’t it? It’s been going on for years and it’s one of those things we organise so well,” said John.

“We wanted to get a bit of atmosphere rather than just watch it on the box,” said Sylvia. “We’ve been here two hours already, but we’ve got sandwiches and coffee, so we are happy,” he said more than two hours before the off.

“And we’ve got a good place to watch from,” agreed John.

Not that the family agree on everything – John is supporting Oxford, “just because I always have”, while daughter Sylvia is backing Cambridge. “I always like the underdog,” she said.

For Ursula Schulte, the pre-race waiting is little more stressful. Mrs Schulte is the mother of Sebastian, the German oarsman who pulls in seat seven for the Cambridge crew.

“We are very nervous,” said Mrs Schulte, who arrived in London yesterday from her home near Wiesbaden in Germany. “We have been here to see him race twice and he has lost two times. This is his last chance so we are hoping he will be successful this year.

“The conditions are better than last year,” she added. “So we are hopeful.”

Mrs Schulte, who saw her son for just five minutes after she arrived yesterday, reported that, “Sebastian is very confident.

“But he has to be,” she added. “I know they are favourites, but they were favourites last year too.

“It would be wonderful for him to win at last. It’s such a great event,” she said, echoing the sentiments of many among the ever-growing Thames-side crowd.

The 153rd Boat Race begins at 4.30pm today (Saturday).