All good fun at Stratford’s Fun Regatta
24 crews from local companies, villages and groups of friends produced some quality rowing after just three hours’ training
Were the Mohicans last?
Stratford upon Avon BC’s annual Fun Regatta is a success in multiple ways, from being enjoyable for the participants and popular with local spectators, to being an effective way of attracting new recruits to the club’s Learn to Row courses. The crews are ably coxed by skilled members of the club’s junior squad, and are participate in three coached sessions in the weeks running up to the regatta.
Fun Regatta organiser Chris Belcher said, “We were heartened by the huge numbers who came to watch, cheer the competitors on and enjoy the spectacle even though the weather wasn’t ideal: it may not have been Henley Royal Regatta but we like to think that it was more fun to watch!”
Fancy dress was again a major part of the day, with competitors dressed as Roman legionnaires; in colourful Hawaiian shirts and in the now immediately recognisable blue and yellow of Ukraine who were warmly welcomed by the crowds. There was a women’s crew from Wilmcote dressed as swans; colourful hippies; crews with Mohican hairstyles; rowers with pink flamingos on their heads; Super Women (how does that work – surely there’s just one of her?) and others masquerading as King Charles III.
Not surprisingly after such a short induction, many crabs were caught and there was a lot of splashing but nobody capsized and so the rescue launch staying on her mooring throughout the day!
The eventual winners were Meander Club with Never Mind The Rollocks as runners up. Oarsome4Some took the fancy dress prize.
Commenting further, Chris Belcher Fun Regatta organiser added, “Through the hard work and all the efforts of Club members, we have been able to raise funds for replacing equipment, repairs and maintenance. As always, we are especially grateful for the tolerance of those who make their living on the river and to our sponsor Crowne Plaza Stratford.”
Dawson Curnock, Boat Club Chairman also commented, “A fun day was had by all and Stratford Boat Club was happy to contribute to the vitality and atmosphere of the town and give visitors and residents a cause for celebration!”
Paul Stanton, the Club’s President said, “We were so grateful that Stratford upon Avon’s Mayor Councillor Kate Rolfe and her Consort visited us and presented prizes to the winners: Stratford upon Avon Town Council’s support is essential for the encouragement for sport and recreation in the Warwickshire area and community. Thanks also to Sip‘n’Swig, Stratford BC’s regatta bar contractors, for filling the winners’ tankards with beer: that made their day!”
