To celebrate an exciting month on our stretch of the River Thames, Val Wyatt Marine, the River & Rowing Museum and Hobbs of Henley have teamed up to encourage all budding photographers (young, old, amateur or experienced) to capture and share their ‘river life’ photos. The Henley Royal Regatta and the Henley Festival will help to provide wonderful photo opportunities to capture as well.

A pop up exhibition featuring the entrants’ photos will be hosted at the River and Rowing Museum throughout August for everyone to enjoy.

Director of the River & Rowing Museum, Steve O’Connor, said “We are hugely excited to be able to host this competition and showcase the pictures of the beautiful River Thames which we all enjoy using so much.”

The trio have reached out to the local business community to create an impressive collection of prizes including a FREE day pass to the River & Rowing Museum for every person who enters the competition.

Residents of Henley-on-Thames and the surrounding riverside areas are invited to capture special ‘river life’ moments from boating or paddling on the river, picnicking by the river or wildlife. To enter the competition, individuals need to share their photo on Instagram or Facebook between 1st – 20th July 2024 with the hashtag #RiverLife2024 and tag @valwyattmarine, @riverandrowingmuseum and @hobbsofhenley.

If individuals do not have a social media presence, they can email their photo to info@valwyatt.co.uk.

With three age categories, Junior (5-12 years), Teen (13 – 17 years) and Adult (18+ years), everyone is encouraged to enter. The local business community has come together to kindly provide some wonderful prizes including:

• A skippered Interboat outing with Val Wyatt
• Food hamper by Pavilion Foods
• Two course lunch with wine at The Relais
• Henley Distillery experience
• Smartphone photography lesson with Viva Photography
• SUP lesson for two with Go with the Flo
• Family Membership at Tumblestone Hollow
• Family Pass to the River & Rowing Museum
• Group tickets to Regal Picturehouse

Val Wyatt Director, Lisa Anacora, shares why they’re running this competition, “We wanted to bring our local business community together to create an initiative that inspires people of all ages to get out into the fresh air and capture special moments on or by the river.”

The competition will be judged by a panel of experts; Jonathan Hobbs (Royal Waterman), Lynne Lambourne (Sustainability Ambassador), Sarah Winckless (British Olympic rower) and Caroline Gratrix (Professional Photographer).

Director of Hobbs of Henley, Jonathan Hobbs, shares his enthusiasm of their involvement, “We are delighted to be part of #RiverLife2024, promoting river activity and enjoyment this summer and look forward to judging the entries.”

So grab your camera or use your smartphone to capture and share your ‘river life’ moments and you could be featured in the pop up exhibition, complete with opening drinks and prize giving evening.