THERE was plenty of messing about on the River Avon at the weekend.
Stratford Boat Club’s annual Fun Regatta saw 19 crews, with just three hours’ training, compete in a number of ‘side by side’ races in the club’s ‘learn-to-row’ stable boats.
Crowds packed the river bank to cheer the rowers on, also taking advantage of the tea tent, food wagon and bar.
Racing started at 9am and lasted until 4.30pm when Stratford mayor Sam McNaught Barrow presented prizes for the winning and the best fancy dressed crew.
First place in the fancy dress competition were Boudicca’s Babes, second were The John Macenrows and third were Oar Blimey. The winners for the rowing regatta itself were Meander Club by just one foot over The River Rangers.
Organiser Adam Franklin said: “We were heartened by the huge numbers who came to watch, cheer the competitors on and enjoy the spectacle even though the weather was hotter than ideal. It may not have been Henley Royal Regatta but we like to think that it was more fun to watch.”
