Annual Events
Below is a listing of the key events in a typical calendar year. Each entry is designed to give you an overview of the location, the distance involved and the type of boats taking part. If the event has a website then there is a link that you can click for more information.
March - Head of Three Harbours
An 8k ‘pilot’ race for Coastal Rowing Clubs & Boats
in and around the 3 Harbours region - Northney Marina, Hayling Island Sailing Club, Itchenor Sailing Club. Men's, women's & mixed crews
Coastal Quads; Doubles; Pilot Gigs; Bursledon Gigs; St Ayles Skiffs & other Coastal Boats
May - Hamble River Raid - Southampton
7-mile endurance race
Multiple boat types, gigs kayaks dragons etc.
Men's, women's & mixed crews
Vets 50+, supervets 60 +
Start & finish in the same place
June - Bembridge Gig Fest - Isle of Wight
Saturday - 2k straight course
Standing start, side by side racing!
Sunday evening - live music and food
Sunday round St Helens fort, sequential running starts. Men's, women's & mixed crews. All clubs welcome. Apply here
July - Round Canvey Island
This annual 'open' event attracts both rowing and sailing vessels, undertaking a complete circuit of Canvey Island: a distance of 14 ½ miles. Mostly with the tide. Four tidal barrages and bridges to go under.
Men's, women's & mixed crews
Fixed seat and sliding seat row boats, surf ski's, kayaks, outrigger canoes and a variety of sailing dinghies.
July - Cockleshells, Eastney
Chiefly gigs, Burlesdon and galleys. Men's, women's & mixed crews.​
Start/ finish ECA Eastney, turn round Horse Sand fort, 9-mile kite shape course
July - Langstone Regatta - Northney Marina
1.3-mile triangular buoyed course.
Men's, women's & mixed crews.
Gigs, Burlesdon galleys Celtics and more
July - Round Hayling Race
13-mile course around Hayling Island
9-mile short course round Mulberry if conditions poor
Start/ finish at Northney. Men's, women's & mixed crews.
Gigs, Burlesdon, Galleys, Celtics etc.
August - Tudor Challenge
A 10+ mile loop rowing race for fixed seat craft held in Langstone Harbour. Men's, women's & mixed crews.
August - Great Tyne Row
The Great Tyne Row is a 25km event allowing participants to enjoy parts of Tyne that are not normally accessible.
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The event starts at Newburn (to the east of Newcastle upon Tyne), rowing through the central quayside and finishing at the sea at Tynemouth.
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Men's, women's & mixed crews.
September - Great River Race – London
Start at Millwall, finish at Ham
21.6-mile course under 27 bridges
All kinds of fixed seat boats.
More than 200 crews, many crews in fancy dress. Men's, women's & mixed crews.
September - Monster Loch Row
Monster the Loch is a mass participation boat race on Loch Ness.
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Any kind of human powered boat is invited to join in the 21miles of adventure.
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In 2025, there were 125 crews and 550 competitors from all over the world.
September - Head of the Ouse
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A I0 km race (with tide) for fixed seat craft. Men & mixed crewsffrom Newhaven to Lewes & women's crews from Lewes to Newhaven.​
