On August Bank Holiday for the second year running the club hosted the venerable Swanwick, Bursledon & Warsash Regatta. This year’s theme was A Right Royal Regatta which saw the club decorated in red, white and blue, with a ‘Royal Box’ in the garden complete with a pair of thrones, and an outdoor bar named The King’s Head!

On the water, a fantastic turn-out of 74 boats competed in the Dinghy Race. We welcomed the Foxers from Hamble among other visiting crew, in a fleet that included most of the WSC handicap regulars with separate finishing results for Lasers, Oppies and Teras.

One of the best-loved events in the Regatta is the traditional Bursledon Gig racing. The afternoon began with a timed race between eight gigs from the Warsash Start Box out to Pile No 1 and back. It ended in a dead heat between Elephant, from the Elephant Boatyard and Freedom from Tudor Rowing Club (visiting from Langstone Harbour), two crews who have swapped Top Crew status over five years.

Paddleboarders also turned out in force for short races in Kipper Pond and a hotly contested long-distance challenge up to the Chinese Bridge and back.

Other rowing races, single handed and double handed, together with fun races in inflatable dinghies took place in Kipper Pond, in spite of the occasional rain shower and cooling wind. 

The water carnival featured a dazzling and beautifully made royal carriage built around a Limpet hull by the Tayler family. Accompanied by costumed paddleboarders they paraded in front of hundreds of spectators on the boardwalk.

The highlight of the weekend is traditionally a fantastic firework display and this year’s was spectacular. With the demise of the Cowes Week fireworks perhaps the club can claim the best regatta fireworks on the Solent. 

Warsash boats made up the bulk of the Cruiser Racing on the Sunday. The weather was sunny and balmy but this was no easy ride, the 10-mile course keeping crew on their toes to get boats moving quickly in the light breeze, with an challenging burst of stronger wind for the upwind final leg. 

Back in the club garden on Sunday afternoon, the excellent catering (Alexanda’s, a Sausage Sizzle, burgers) continued to the sounds of the blues from Trigger’s Broom before a glittering array of prizes was awarded for the two days of events.

Ideas for new events, and offers to volunteer to help organise and promote next year’s Regatta are very welcome. Please email enquiries@bursledonregatta.org.