STRATFORD-upon-Avon Boat Club are preparing for their annual Boxing Day Scratch Regatta.
The club’s Boxing Day Regatta has become a firm fixture on both the Boat Club’s and town’s calendar with last year’s event cancelled due to Covid restrictions.
However, the club hopes its athletes can blow away the overindulgence of Christmas, have fun and set their sights firmly on serious training for the 2022 season this year.
More than 40 club athletes traditionally brave the cold and damp to take part in the Scratch Regatta, competing in coxed fours over a short sprint course from the Ferry to the club grounds on the Town stretch of the River Avon with crews drawn from mixed age and ability membership from the Masters, Seniors, off Peak membership and Juniors J16 and over.
Stratford’s Chairman, Dawson Curnock said: “We pick Club crews from names entered into a draw based on gender, age and ability so that all the crews are more or less equal, ranging from members of the Junior squad right through to Masters.”
Stratford upon Avon Boat Club finished the 2021 season with squads continuing their regular outings right up until the Christmas break
Stratford’s Junior Squad Co-ordinator, Steve Wellstead added: “December is a challenging month for training with many Junior Squad athletes taking important mock exams and the weather often restricts us to indoor and land training.
“To finish with all squads continuing their training right through December sets the mood for a great 2022 season!”
Stratford Boat Club’s President, Paul Stanton said: “The training schedule will be back on target the first weekend after the New Year.
“2022 is going to be a great season for Stratford in all categories and we’re going for gold at next year’s regional heads and regattas!”
To ensure fair play and safety, starters, umpires, spotters and the safety launch will all be in place whilst crowds can watch and cheer from the Recreation Ground, The Royal Shakespeare Terrace, Bancroft Gardens and The Tramway Bridge.
Come down to the river on Boxing Day, Sunday December 26 with racing set to begin at 10am!
