We absolutely love the Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta. It truly captures the spirit of traditional rowing competitions, the epitome of competitive sport and community, bringing rowing enthusiasts and local together to enjoy the racing, and for the crews to battle it out to win some rather impressive and historical silverware.

If you haven’t ever been, make sure that you mark the date in your diary for next year. It’s a free event, so you can take your family, your granny and the dog along for a quintessential summers day out in the enclosure or sit dipping your toes in the river to cool off along the river bank. Take along your own picnic, or grab something tasty and something to drink. This year spectators were treated to delicious Hardy Yard Pizza and Henley’s one and only Gelato Henley, washed down with a proper coffee from Camper Café or a craft beer from Indie Rabble Brewing Company.

You can also purchase launch tickets to follow the races in the very same umpire launches that zoom up and down the course for Henley Royal Regatta. All in all, really rather lovely day out.

Fine conditions made for a full day of quality racing at the Henley Town & Visitors’ Regatta last weekend with 289 crews comprised of 580 competitors from nearly 60 rowing clubs competing in 147 races, running continuously from 9am to 7pm.

There was some close racing at all levels with several close finishes. Henley Rowing Club displayed strength and depth in both Junior and Masters categories, winning Masters C/D Quadruple Sculls and Junior 15 Double Sculls events. With the Women’s Masters E Double Sculls being narrowly beaten by Walton RC in their final.

There were also some fine wins across the board for Marlow Rowing Club, Upper Thames Rowing Club and Wallingford Rowing Club.

Among the successful visitors Nonesuch Boat Club won both Open and Alumni Eights and it was a pleasure to see Sparks Rowing USA represented, who won both Men’s and Women’s Coxed Fours and an Open Eights event, all by significant margins of victory.

The Victor Ludorum for the most successful club at the Regatta was a close affair, but in the end Hereford RC were victorious and claimed the Peter Sutherland Challenge Cup. One of their many successes coming in the Junior 16 Double Sculls to win The Pepper Pots, the latest addition to the regatta’s trophy collection.

The Town Cup was won by Marlow Rowing Club with an excellent row in Women’s Coxless Fours. This is the pride of the Regatta’s trophy collection, having been created for the first Henley Regatta in 1839, and was presented to the winning crew by Henley Mayor Rory Hunt.

Regatta President Ken Arlett said, “it’s been a fantastic Regatta showcasing the best of Henley both on and off the water. The competitors I spoke to really enjoyed the day and will definitely be back next year. Also thank you to the spectators that came, supported this local event and cheered on the crews.”

The Regatta ran on schedule throughout the day which is no mean feat, with the last race finishing 2 minutes ahead of time. Regatta Chairman Mark Davies said after the race “I’d like to thank all our volunteers, subscribers, sponsors and supporters who do so much to make the regatta a success. 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. Particular thanks also go to the younger juniors of Henley RC who manned the stake boats at the start all day in warm and at times breezy conditions.”

Further details of all the race results can also be found at the Regatta website henleytownregatta.org.uk together with a link to photos of the winning crews taken by the official Photographer for the Regatta, Timeless Dimension Photography.

Anyone wishing to become a subscriber, or sponsor can contact the Regatta via its web site.

The 2025 Regatta will be held on Saturday 2nd August. The Committee also organise a number of social events to support the running of the Regatta, including the Annual Dinner to be held on Saturday 30th November 2024 at Leander Club.