Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta
Encyclopedia
The Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta is a regatta
on the River Thames
in England. It is the local regatta of the villages of Wargrave
in Berkshire
and Shiplake
in Oxfordshire
. Some of the boats used are of a traditional clinker-built style, others are fibre-glass.
The regatta is believed to have been officially founded in 1867, although regatta activity also took place here in the 1850s. It takes place annually on the Oxfordshire bank of the river, on the reach above Marsh Lock
.
The Berkshire Chronicle of 31st August 1867 tells us that a Wargrave Regatta took place the previous Wednesday, August 28th, on a course from Bolney Island to Wargrave Ferry, under the auspices of Wargrave Yacht Club. However, the Parish Magazine mentions that this followed a gap of eleven years, suggesting that a local regatta had been held at some time in the 1850s; and a silver rudder engraved Wargrave Regatta 1856 was recently found. However no official records are known to establish the date of the first regatta exactly. 1867 is taken as the 'official' date of birth.
The regatta attracts over 1000 competitors taking part in around 400 races, making it is the second largest Thames regatta after the Henley Royal Regatta
. It is held over two days at the beginning of August. The course is about 400 yards long, with the start close to Shiplake Railway Bridge
. Races go down stream.
There are races for:
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
in England. It is the local regatta of the villages of Wargrave
Wargrave
Wargrave is a large village and civil parish in the English county of Berkshire, which encloses the confluence of the River Loddon and the River Thames. It is in the Borough of Wokingham...
in Berkshire
Berkshire
Berkshire is a historic county in the South of England. It is also often referred to as the Royal County of Berkshire because of the presence of the royal residence of Windsor Castle in the county; this usage, which dates to the 19th century at least, was recognised by the Queen in 1957, and...
and Shiplake
Shiplake
Shiplake is a village and civil parish about south of Henley-on-Thames in Oxfordshire, England on the River Thames.-History:The Church of England parish church of St. Peter and St. Paul dates from at least the 13th century, but in 1869 the Gothic Revival architect G.E. Street rebuilt the chancel,...
in Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire
Oxfordshire is a county in the South East region of England, bordering on Warwickshire and Northamptonshire , Buckinghamshire , Berkshire , Wiltshire and Gloucestershire ....
. Some of the boats used are of a traditional clinker-built style, others are fibre-glass.
The regatta is believed to have been officially founded in 1867, although regatta activity also took place here in the 1850s. It takes place annually on the Oxfordshire bank of the river, on the reach above Marsh Lock
Marsh Lock
Marsh Lock is a lock and weir situated on the River Thames in England near Henley-on-Thames, Oxfordshire. The lock is close to the Berkshire bank, but accessed from the Oxfordshire side via two long walkways, the downstream one being near Mill Meadows...
.
The Berkshire Chronicle of 31st August 1867 tells us that a Wargrave Regatta took place the previous Wednesday, August 28th, on a course from Bolney Island to Wargrave Ferry, under the auspices of Wargrave Yacht Club. However, the Parish Magazine mentions that this followed a gap of eleven years, suggesting that a local regatta had been held at some time in the 1850s; and a silver rudder engraved Wargrave Regatta 1856 was recently found. However no official records are known to establish the date of the first regatta exactly. 1867 is taken as the 'official' date of birth.
The regatta attracts over 1000 competitors taking part in around 400 races, making it is the second largest Thames regatta after the Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
. It is held over two days at the beginning of August. The course is about 400 yards long, with the start close to Shiplake Railway Bridge
Shiplake Railway Bridge
Shiplake Railway Bridge carries the Henley Branch Line to Henley-on-Thames, England across the River Thames, connecting Shiplake in Oxfordshire with Wargrave in Berkshire. It crosses the river just downstream of Shiplake Lock on the reach above Marsh Lock....
. Races go down stream.
There are races for:
- Canadian Canoes
- Dinghies
- Dongolas
- Punts
- Skiffs
Dongola races
These are split into categories:- Grand Dongola – competitive races for all types of crew
- Veteran Dongola – competitive races where crew members must be over 45 years of age
- Thames Dongola – for entrants taking the event less seriously
- Under 17 and Under 12 Dongola – for junior crews