The first Stratford upon Avon Regatta was held on an August Bank Holiday in 1874 under ‘a dull and threatening sky’. There was a cricket match and a military band. The actual Regatta programme consisted of two pairs events, a sculling event and a course race. The vicar’s wife presented the prizes and there was dancing until dusk.
That regatta proved the impetus for a group of young men to found the Stratford upon Avon Boat Club. The primary objective of the Club was to be “the encouragement of rowing at Stratford upon Avon amongst amateurs, an amateur regatta and the formation of crews to compete at our own and neighbouring regattas”.
The regattas quickly became an established part of the river scene. The early ones were closed events but the first open event – won by an Evesham RC four – was introduced in 1879 and other open events followed. Rowing wasn’t the only activity at the regatta. Perhaps the most remarkable ‘water sports event’ took place in 1921 when an entertainer called Professor Powsey was hired to give a display which included diving 80ft into the river smoking a cigar. Maybe the Club should consider reintroducing this at their regatta in June!
When the Club began in 1874, the local vicar pessimistically prophesied “Look here, friend, your club will only last 3 years. No club in Stratford lasts longer than 3 years”. Stratford Boat Club has proved otherwise and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1999. The rowing has flourished and the Club continues to offer local people the chance to take part in a great sport. In 1948, a Stratford crew was a contender for the Great Britain squad in the Olympics, only losing out to crews from Oxford University and London Rowing Club.
In Boat Club tradition, names of boats come from the plays of Shakespeare, mainly the heroines and spirits. Our present membership exceeds 200, ranging from Juniors to Veterans.
That regatta proved the impetus for a group of young men to found the Stratford upon Avon Boat Club. The primary objective of the Club was to be “the encouragement of rowing at Stratford upon Avon amongst amateurs, an amateur regatta and the formation of crews to compete at our own and neighbouring regattas”.
The regattas quickly became an established part of the river scene. The early ones were closed events but the first open event – won by an Evesham RC four – was introduced in 1879 and other open events followed. Rowing wasn’t the only activity at the regatta. Perhaps the most remarkable ‘water sports event’ took place in 1921 when an entertainer called Professor Powsey was hired to give a display which included diving 80ft into the river smoking a cigar. Maybe the Club should consider reintroducing this at their regatta in June!
When the Club began in 1874, the local vicar pessimistically prophesied “Look here, friend, your club will only last 3 years. No club in Stratford lasts longer than 3 years”. Stratford Boat Club has proved otherwise and celebrated its 125th anniversary in 1999. The rowing has flourished and the Club continues to offer local people the chance to take part in a great sport. In 1948, a Stratford crew was a contender for the Great Britain squad in the Olympics, only losing out to crews from Oxford University and London Rowing Club.
In Boat Club tradition, names of boats come from the plays of Shakespeare, mainly the heroines and spirits. Our present membership exceeds 200, ranging from Juniors to Veterans.
The Boat Club