About
Come and join in the fun at the 191st Durham Regatta.
The Durham Regatta not only offers thrilling racing, but also a variety of attractions for everyone. Entertainment from bands and performers along with a great selection of stalls to browse and local foods make it a brilliant family event - all this set against the stunning backdrop of a World Heritage Site. Don't miss out!
The 191st Durham Regatta takes place on Saturday June 8th and Sunday June 9th 2024. Each year the North’s premier rowing competition attracts up to 1500 rowers from across the region and beyond to the River Wear in the heart of Durham City for two days of thrilling side-by-side racing.
The Regatta is run entirely by volunteers and is grateful to the City of Durham Parish Council and others for their kind donations towards the organization and running of the event. The organizing Committee has been working on preparations throughout the year and entries for competitors are set to open on May 19th, with the racing timetable being drawn up in the week preceding the Regatta. Last year saw entries from as far afield as St. Andrews and the City of Cambridge, as well as from local rivals Newcastle University and Durham University Boat Clubs and many local Rowing Clubs.
Most of the racing will be contested over the 700 metre ‘short course’ alongside the Racecourse, providing a close-up view for spectators, while a small number of races will take place over the 1800 metre ‘long course’ for which the finish line is further downstream at Counts House.
Durham Regatta dates from 1834, having developed from an annual procession of boats on the River Wear commemorating victory at the Battle of Waterloo in 1815.
The Regatta has a collection of 57 historic trophies that are presented to winners each year, many having been donated in memory of former rowers and important figures from the region. In a break with tradition the prizegiving ceremony this year will take place on the evening of Sunday, June 9th in the grand marquee at Durham Amateur Rowing Club. This will provide an opportunity for the trophies to be seen by a wider audience as well as avoiding the organisational complexity of having the racing and prizegiving at different locations. Prizes will be presented by the Mayor of Durham and the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham.
As well as staging the prizegiving the marquee will house a RowShow throughout the weekend with sportswear retailers including Square Blades, Oddballs, Five57 Sportsgear and others on site. Boatbuilders including Janousek & Stampfli Racing Boats and Fluidesign will also be on hand to provide repair services.
In addition to racing the Regatta is a celebration of all that the picturesque City of Durham has to offer to residents and visitors, and around 10,000 spectators regularly line the riverbanks to enjoy a range of free entertainment and activities for all the family.
Outlets offering a range of food and drink for purchase will be available in the Regatta Enclosure on the Racecourse. Entertainment this year will include the annual Classic Car Rally, Viking crafts and re-enactment groups staging mock combat, brass band performances, street theatre, stilt walkers, fairground rides, inflatable games and a bubbleologist.
During a break in racing on Saturday the entertainment on the river will include a fun pedalo challenge involving a race between BBC Radio Newcastle Breakfast Show host Matt Bailey and the Regatta’s chief umpire.
Also attending throughout the weekend will be TV presenter Matt Baker who is well known for his Channel 4 series Travels with Mum and Dad, and Our Dream Farm as well as for being a presenter of Countryfile on BBC1.
We look forward to some fine weather in June.
More information can be found at Durham Regatta's website