ABOUT

  • The Regatta has been in existence for around 150 years, with its origins in the friendly rivalry that existed between fishermen, yachtsmen and watermen of the Hamble river, who organised races amongst themselves.
  • The programme for the 1896 Regatta cost just 1d. There were 38 entrants in the singlehanded rowing race and more that 20 in the double-handed.
  • The highlight of the year for many local families, the races were held off Moody’s yard – now Premier Swanwick.
  • There were strict rules about the length of the boats but some resorted to adding a plywood extension to the bow of a dinghy to increase waterline length and speed. This was usually spotted before the races, with the miscreant being told they would be disqualified unless they ripped it off in time to compete.
  • With as many as 20 entrants in each rowing race, and entrants entering as many as half a dozen races, using different boats for sculling, singles and doubles races, competitors often had to leave one boat and rush to get into another for the next race.
  • Prize money was substantial but was generally given to the children of the family to spend in the fun fair held on what was the field next to the pub, now the Harvester.
  • Another big draw was the “Slippery pole” competition. A pole or mast would be attached securely to a landing craft, in a horizontal position.  The pole was greased and two competitors at a time would straddle the pole and hit each other with cushions until one was knocked off into the river.
 

This top-rated annual event gained Regatta status with the title Swanwick, Bursledon and Warsash Regatta. More recently it has moved around the villages of the River Hamble, from Bursledon to Warsash and this year, for the first time, to Hamble.
To recognise the involvement of all the villages along the river, it has been renamed The Hamble Valley Regatta.
The grand finale is an extravagant firework display by Pains Fireworks set against the stunning backdrop of the River Hamble.

Please remember this annual extravaganza relies on your generosity. The Regatta is one of the few traditional village Regattas remaining, organised and run by a committee of local volunteers, and relies totally on the support of donors and those who love it.
Please dig deep for an even bigger bang in 2025.