Staines amateur regatta
Encyclopedia
Staines Amateur Regatta is an English rowing
regatta
which takes place between Staines
and Silvery Sands on the River Thames
on the reach above Penton Hook Lock
.
. It was initially a great rowing function, but had been allowed to drop until revived by Percival Clarke, the son of Sir Edward Clarke
in the 1890s. In 1897 it was noted that a Staines eight
had won for the first time, in a meeting made up of "quality not quantity", and that a new Challenge Cup, nearly three feet high was won by London Rowing Club
.
Whilst the regatta and boat club are two different organisations, Staines Boat Club members now act as volunteers in running the regatta. The regatta itself has run in several different guises, including a longer 1500m, and 1000m course - currently it is a "sprint" regatta at 500m.
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
which takes place between Staines
Staines
Staines is a Thames-side town in the Spelthorne borough of Surrey and Greater London Urban Area, as well as the London Commuter Belt of South East England. It is a suburban development within the western bounds of the M25 motorway and located 17 miles west south-west of Charing Cross in...
and Silvery Sands on the River Thames
River Thames
The River Thames flows through southern England. It is the longest river entirely in England and the second longest in the United Kingdom. While it is best known because its lower reaches flow through central London, the river flows alongside several other towns and cities, including Oxford,...
on the reach above Penton Hook Lock
Penton Hook Lock
Penton Hook Lock is a lock on the River Thames in England situated on the northern "Middlesex" bank near Laleham, Surrey.The lock cuts across a large loop or hook in the river, creating Penton Hook Island There is a large marina in the disused gravel pits connected to this loop...
.
History
Staines Amateur Regatta was established in 1850 one year before Staines Boat ClubStaines Boat Club
Staines Boat Club is a rowing club based on the River Thames at Staines, Surrey in England. It was founded in 1851 and was one of the founding member clubs of the Remenham Club.The club and boat house is situated on the southern bank of the river at Staines....
. It was initially a great rowing function, but had been allowed to drop until revived by Percival Clarke, the son of Sir Edward Clarke
Edward George Clarke
Sir Edward George Clarke QC QC was a British barrister and politician, considered one of the leading advocates of the late Victorian era and serving as Solicitor-General in the Conservative government of 1886–1892...
in the 1890s. In 1897 it was noted that a Staines eight
Eight (rowing)
An Eight is a rowing boat used in the sport of competitive rowing. It is designed for eight rowers, who propel the boat with sweep oars, and is steered by a coxswain, or cox....
had won for the first time, in a meeting made up of "quality not quantity", and that a new Challenge Cup, nearly three feet high was won by London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club
London Rowing Club is one of the oldest rowing clubs on the River Thames in London, United Kingdom.It is regarded as one of the most exclusive and successful rowing clubs in Britain. and its Patron is HRH Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh....
.
Organisation
The regatta takes place in the 4th weekend in July and attracts top crews from around the UK. The regatta currently takes place on the 500-metre downstream course from St Peter's Church until 'Silvery Sands'. The regatta is launch umpired.Whilst the regatta and boat club are two different organisations, Staines Boat Club members now act as volunteers in running the regatta. The regatta itself has run in several different guises, including a longer 1500m, and 1000m course - currently it is a "sprint" regatta at 500m.