Rowers out in force for Boxing Day Regatta

STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club’s annual Scratch Regatta took place early on Boxing Day morning, with more than 50 members managing to leave their beds after the over-indulgence of the Christmas festivities.

The racing provided great interest to early morning sightseers and visitors watching from the Recreation Ground, The Royal Shakespeare Terrace, Bancroft Gardens and The Tramway Bridge.

Club chairman, Dawson Curnock, said: “The regatta caught the imagination of all that came down to the river and gave us added impetus to move further ahead for fundraising in 2018 to achieve the funds to refurbish and replace our fleet and equipment.”

Helen Smith, one of the event’s organisers, added: “This year the regatta had each crew racing in two races.

“The crews were selected from junior, senior and masters’ squads to ensure close and exciting racing.

“All the races were over a short sprint course from the Ferry to club grounds on the town stretch of the River Avon.”

Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club were back on the river this week and after the new year the rowers will be training hard for the 2018 head season and their own regatta in June.