Bring a picnic, bring the dog, bring your friends, bring your granny, Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta, or the T&V as it is locally known, takes place tomorrow, Saturday, 29th July, in its traditional format and location with 288 crews from over 50 rowing clubs competing in 134 races, running continuously from 9am to 7pm.

The Regatta enclosure is free for all to enter, with families very welcome. Following the success of the food court last year there will be Camper Café for great coffee, Gelato Henley Italian ice cream & sorbets, Hardy Yard Pizza, Lovibonds craft beer and Fairmile Vineyard providing fabulous refreshments for whatever takes your fancy.

Subject to availability, spectators can also enjoy following a race aboard a traditional Henley umpire’s launch for a small donation. The enclosure entrance is a short walk from Henley town centre, just downstream from the bridge on the Berkshire bank.

Racing will be held on the Regatta’s traditional 3-lane course over 800m from ‘Old Blades’ to Phyllis Court, at 4-minute intervals throughout the day.

The event has attracted a large number of competitors ranging in age from 14 to over 60 years old. Some have represented GB at international level, but for others this may be their first competitive rowing event.

In addition to local ‘Town’ clubs, the Regatta will welcome ‘Visitors’ representing 32 rowing clubs, 5 universities, 11 composite and 1 military crew. Henley and Upper Thames Rowing Clubs will both be well-represented, there is a strong entry from London-based clubs, as well as local crews from Abingdon, Reading and Wallingford. With these entries, competition for the Victor Ludorum awarded to the club achieving the most wins on the day will be fierce.

Peter Knowles, this year’s Regatta President, emphasised how much goes on behind the scenes: “Having been Hon. Regatta Treasurer for 15 years I know very well how much work is done by our Committee and over 70 volunteers in bringing a top class Rowing event here in Henley on Thames. Please join me in thanking everyone for making this such a friendly regatta and look forward to seeing you with your friends and families coming down to the riverside to join us, to enjoy the location, the refreshments and of course the quality racing with crews from all over the country. If you would like to get involved and help us in future years, please come and find me on Saturday”.

Mark Davies, Regatta Chairman, said: “We are expecting to have a full and exciting day of racing and it is particularly pleasing to see a near equal number of female and male competitors take part. Admission is free for adults, children and dogs. Do come along and support your own local Regatta which has been running for over 150 years”.

The Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta is organised by local people and supported by many local organisations and families. Mark Davies continued: “we are very grateful for the support of the many volunteers, subscribers, advertisers and sponsors, all of whom play a vital part in this important local event. The Regatta Committee would also like to thank the Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta, who allow us to use their land and facilities, and Henley-on-Thames Town Council who have supported the Regatta consistently for many years.”

For more information visit Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta