STRATFORD Boat Club’s Fun Regatta took place on Saturday amidst good-humoured rivalry.
While crowds from Birmingham, Coventry, Warwickshire and further afield came in great numbers, the weather was hot and thus demand for the barbecue was diminished and many moved to the tea tent and bar for sustenance!
Cheers from crew supporters and visitors spurred on 17 crews to their fleeting place in history – winning, surviving, completing the course or being the best-dressed crew on the river!
Wallace Brown, Stratford BC Fun Regatta secretary, said: “This year’s Fun Regatta, our 16th, was another great one in terms of number of local crews from companies and organisations.
“This year we also had several crews from parents of our young rowers so there was fierce competition with mums against dads.
“The ingenuity and effort put into the fancy dress was amazing. Boat Full of Sunshine, Row Britannia and Lightning Vikings brought a smile to everybody’s face!
“Already we’ve seen several competitors sign up for Stratford Boat Club’s autumn Learn to Row courses for those wanting to try rowing even more seriously or just for recreational exercise.”
Club president Paul Stanton said: “We enjoyed hosting so many visitors and local residents. This year we were so pleased to have Deeley Group sponsor the Fun Regatta.
“This was only the third time we have had the Fun Regatta sponsored and it proved a great success to have local companies support us in this very exciting year when we have done so well in local and national regattas and Henley Royal Regatta.
“The Fun Regatta helps us to show rowing isn’t just about serious competition and there is also the fun and recreational aspect to our sport.
“We are a community club and Deeley Group’s support will help us to pay for our increase in facilities and has increased our ability to provide sport for all, especially those looking for weekday recreation and exercise.”
