TEAMS of rowers will be getting ready for the Wargrave and Shiplate Regatta, which takes place this weekend.
Swimmers and athletes will be making waves as they compete in 317 races over two days.
Those who prefer to stay on dry land can enjoy spectating, with food and drink stalls on site.
The Wargrave and Shiplake Regatta is an annual celebration of traditional boating with racing for all ages, including: dongoling (where rowers kneel), skiffing (leisure rowing typical on the Thames), canoeing, punting and rowing.
Participants of all abilities can compete – from novices to seasoned competitors, with swimmers able to take part in an early Saturday morning Regatta Swim.
The Goodall-Smith Wealth Management Scratch Dongola is open to anyone not competing in other races, and for this race, no experience at all is necessary.
People can just register for it at the regatta enclosure from 9am on Saturday and be ready to race from midday.
Regatta chairman, Carlton Barnard, said: “We experienced torrential rain last year meaning a lot of people who would normally have come to watch decided not to.
“The forecast this year is better and a lot of work has gone into adding more for young children in the enclosure.
“There’ll be a games and activity area on both days, and a face painter on the Saturday.
“We’ll also have the usual, fantastic array of food vendors and we hope a lot of families will come and make a weekend of it, whether or not they’re competing.”
The committee is pleased that more young people have entered the regatta this year.
“Two taster sessions we ran in Wargrave and Shiplake were successful and we’ve seen an increase in the number of entries to junior events, which is really promising,” continued Carlton.
“The future of traditional boating relies on new people falling in love with it, and one go usually has them hooked.”
The event is held in Lower Shiplake, where a field by the river is transformed into the event enclosure.
Food and drink stalls, a children’s play area, a beer tent and a Regatta shop will be set up there, with space for spectators, gazebos and picnics.
Racing on the stretch of water between the railway bridge and a little upstream from The George and Dragon pub in Wargrave starts at 9.30am on the Friday morning and finishes late afternoon on the Saturday with prizes, and at 10pm, fireworks which can be viewed from the Regatta enclosure or from boats on the river.
Parking is available, Shiplake train station is a 15 minute walk away, and a ferry runs across the river to the enclosure from 8am on the Friday morning and from 5.45am on the Saturday morning for those entering or watching the swim.
The event takes place at the end of Mill Road, RG9 3LY, on Friday, August 9, and Saturday August 10.
Spectator tickets cost £12 for entry on Friday and Saturday, or £8 for Saturday only, and can be bought on the gate, with under 5s entering free of charge.
Car parking is £6 per car, and the ferry costs approximately £1 each way, from the George and Dragon pub in Wargrave.
For information, visit: www.wsregatta.co.uk
