Stratford celebrates “best” Fun Regatta
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club’s Fun Regatta took place on Saturday amidst great rivalry and good humour. Helped by the good weather and cheers from crew supporters and visitors, some twenty three crews battled for their place in history – winning, surviving, completing the course or being the best well dressed crew on the river.
Crews of all shapes and sizes were drawn from local schools and businesses, including President Kennedy School, Coventry; The Royal Life Saving Society, Broom; Focus Solutions, Royal Leamington Spa; St Benedict’s Catholic High School, Alcester; Blythe Liggins Solicitors, Royal Leamington Spa; F Parr Ltd, Redditch; Tyack Architects Ltd, Moreton in Marsh and Rother House Medical Centre, Stratford.
“This year’s Fun Regatta was perhaps the best yet,” said Paul Hazelwood, Stratford Boat Club’s joint Fun Regatta Organiser. “Local participation is what we wanted and local participation is what we got!”
Nigel Harwood, who also jointly organised the Fun Regatta, added: “Whilst the standard of rowing wasn’t perhaps up to Henley Royal Regatta, the ingenuity and effort put into the fancy dress was amazing – Abba, Ladybirds, The A Team, Lifeguards, Mrs Mops, Pirates and Mexicans – where did they all come from? It was also great to see our own coaches, mums and dads of rowers put in crews. What a fun day!”
Previous Fun Regattas have resulted in an upsurge of interest in Stratford Boat Club’s Learn to Row and Explore Rowing Courses: for further information, see www.stratford-rowing.co.uk/learn-to-row.
“It was exceptionally pleasing to see so many visitors and local residents at the Fun Regatta this year” said Felix Badcock, the Club’s President. “This event helps us to show that Stratford Boat Club isn’t just about serious competitive rowing and that there is also the fun and recreational aspect to our sport. We are a community club that is here to provide sport for all especially those looking for weekday recreation and exercise.”
Find out more about Stratford upon Avon Boat Club at www.stratford-rowing.co.uk.
