THERE is set to be plenty of messing about on the River Avon at the weekend.
Stratford Boat Club’s Fun Regatta will see local companies, villages and groups of friends grab an oar on Saturday (July 12).
Twenty crews, with just three hours’ training, will compete in a number of ‘side by side’ races in the club’s ‘learn-to-row’ stable boats, many in wacky fancy dress.
Fun Regatta organiser Adam Franklin said: “We’d like to encourage everybody to come down to the boat club or the river to support the crews. It is great to watch as there’s lots of splashing, some crazy outfits and plenty of competitive banter.”
Dawson Curnock, Stratford Boat Club’s chairman, added: “It is a fabulous ‘fun’ day for all the family and it also helps the club raise vital funds to buy boats and equipment for future, current and adaptive athletes.”
Racing starts at 9am and the victors will be crowned by 5pm, other water traffic permitting.
Prizes for the winning and best fancy dressed crew will be presented by Stratford mayor Coun Dani Hunter and club chairman Mr Curnock.
The Fun Regatta, originally called the ‘Pubs and Clubs’ Regatta, started on the Sunday following the main June regatta. As the event grew in size, and popularity, it was moved to July as a standalone event.
