Ryde Rowing Club will host the second Hants & Dorset Amateur Rowing Association Championship Regatta of the season this coming Sunday (11th May).
Shanklin & Sandown’s Championship Regatta takes place the previous day (10th May).
This year’s regatta marks the 48th Anniversary of a Hants and Dorset ARA Championships regatta being held off Appley Beach, at Ryde.
The first was held in June 1977, as part of the club’s centenary celebrations and following the successful introduction of a Hants & Dorset Championship Regatta, organised jointly by Shanklin and Ryde Rowing Clubs, which was first held at Yaverland, near Sandown in 1972.
The joint organising committee and the Hants & Dorset ARA agreed to stage the 1977 Regatta at Ryde in what was expected to be a one off change of venue in recognition of the club’s centenary.
But such was the success of the event that these 2 Island Rowing Clubs and the Association agreed that the Island should host 2 championship regattas each year – one at Ryde and one at Shanklin. This is how the Isle of Wight Rowing Weekend was established, with both clubs staging their own regattas since 1978 – which have both proved to be very popular – which in part led to the introduction on the 3rd H&D ARA Regatta on the Island run by Newport Rowing Club.
The Ryde Regatta has received a slightly smaller entry than in 2024, with an entry of 101 crews and scullers, which will increase when late entries are taken into account.
The regatta will require a packed Programme of 18 races to be completed in just over 4-and-a-half hours over an 1,820m course from Appley Beach, near to the Ryde R. C. Headquarters in Appley Park – towards Ryde Pier and return after a buoy turn.
Races are taking place for Open Senior, Junior/Senior, Junior and Novices in coxed fours, Open Seniors and Juniors in coxless pairs, and Open Senior, Junior and Novices in Single Sculls.
For women there is Senior, Junior and Novice coxed fours, Senior, and Junior Coxless Pairs and Women’s Senior and Novice sculling events.
There is also an open Masters – Fours event for for 40+ and 50+ and a Women’s Masters 40+ Coxed Fours event.
The Regatta has a scheduled early of 09:15 due to the tides with a race every 10 to 15 minutes and the prize giving will take place at the Clubhouse, in Appley Park around an hour after the last race has completed at about 14:00.
TLM Laser are the main sponsors of the Regatta which has received further support from a number of local businesses and club members. Further support comes from Wightlink, I.W. Ferries – who are the Clubs main sponsors.
The Club is grateful for the help of Ryde Inshore Rescue, who provide safety cover, and Wight First Aid, who provide the first aid cover and PWR Sound for the PA System. The club also acknowledges the support and cooperation of Ryde Police and the Isle of Wight County Council as well as Ryde Town Council.
Some very close racing is expected, and the general public are most welcome to view this free event – the best vantage point being from the sea wall by the Canoe Lake.
