Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is still sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage. It should not be confused with the three other regattas rowed over approximately the same course (Henley Women's Regatta, Henley Veterans Regatta and Henley Town & Visitors Regatta), each of which is entirely separate.

The regatta lasts for 5 days (Wednesday to Sunday) over the first weekend in July. Races are head-to-head knock out competitions, raced over a course of 1 mile, 550 yards (2,112 m). The regatta regularly attracts international crews to race. The most prestigious event at the regatta is the Grand Challenge Cup for Men's Eights, which has been awarded since the regatta was first staged.

As the regatta pre-dates any national or international rowing organisation, it has its own rules and organisation, although it is recognised by both the Amateur Rowing Association (the governing body of rowing in England and Wales) and FISA (the International Federation of Rowing Associations). The regatta is organised by the Stewards, who are largely former rowers themselves. Pierre de Coubertin is said to have modelled elements of the organisation of the International Olympic Committee on the Henley Stewards.

Format of competition

Qualifying

Entries for the regatta close at two o’clock in the afternoon fifteen days before the Regatta.^[1] In order to encourage a high quality of racing; create a manageable race timetable; and to ensure that most crews race only once a day, each event has a limited number of places. Qualifying races are held on the Friday before the regatta. The regatta's Committee of Management decides at its absolute discretion which crews are obliged to qualify; the Committee will examine the form and calibre of the entrants and may choose to pre-qualify some of them.

The qualifying races take the form of a timed processional race up the regatta course, with the fastest crews qualifying. Times are released for non-qualifying crews only. This does not stop an enthusiastic band of unofficial timers with synchronised watches working out how fast their first round opposition might be.

If it is apparent that there are a number of outstanding crews in an event, they may be 'selected' by the Stewards, to prevent them from meeting too early in the competition. The regatta insists that selection is not the same as seeding, the main difference being that there is no 'rank order' as is usually the case in, for example, a tennis tournament.^[2]

The Draw

The draw is a public event that takes place in the Henley town hall. For each event the names of all selected crews are placed on pieces of paper which are then drawn at random from the Grand Challenge Cup. These crews are then placed on pre-determined positions on the draw chart, as far apart as possible. The remaining qualifying crews are then drawn from the cup, filling in from the top of the draw chart downwards, until all places have been filled.

Racing

Each event in the regatta takes the form of a knockout competition, with each race consisting of two crews racing side by side up the Henley course. The course is marked out by two lines of booms (wooden bars which float on the water, secured between vertical poles), which are placed along the river to form a straight course 2,112 metres long. The course is wide enough to allow two crews to race down with a few metres between them. As such it is not uncommon for inexperienced steersmen or coxswains to crash into the booms, possibly costing their crew the race.

The race begins at the downstream end of Temple Island, where the crews attach to a pair of pontoons. The race umpire will then call out the names of the two crews and start them when they are both straight and ready. Each crew is assigned to row on either the 'Bucks' (Buckinghamshire) or 'Berks' (Berkshire) side of the race course. The coxswains or steersmen are expected to keep their crew on the allocated side of the course at all times during the race, else they risk disqualification. The only exception is when a crew leads by a sizeable margin and is not deemed by the umpire to be impeding the trailing crew.

There are several progress markers along the course. Intermediate times are recorded at two of them - "the Barrier" and "Fawley", in addition to the time to the finish. The regatta has official commentary, which is announced at these points along the course. The commentary is renowned for being unemotional and factual, with the commentator only allowed to announce the rate of striking, which crew is leading, the distance between the crews, and the progress marker which the crews are passing.

History

At a public meeting in Henley town hall on 26 March 1839, Captain Edmund Gardiner proposed “that from the lively interest which had been manifested at the various boat races which have taken place on the Henley reach during the last few years, and the great influx of visitors on such occasions, this meeting is of the opinion that the establishing of an annual regatta, under judicious and respectable management, would not only be productive of the most beneficial results to the town of Henley, but from its peculiar attractions would also be a source of amusement and gratification to the neighbourhood, and the public in general.”^[3]

The regatta was first staged in 1839 and proved so successful that it was expanded the next year from one day to two the next year. As the regatta’s popularity has grown it has further expanded: to three days in 1886, 4 days in 1906 and five days in 1986.^[4] The regatta has been known as Henley Royal Regatta since 1851, when Prince Albert became the first royal patron. Since his death, every reigning monarch has agreed to be the patron.^[5]

Amateurism

At the regatta’s inception it was intended for amateur oarsmen rather than those who rowed professionally. In 1879 Henley produced its first formal definition of an amateur:

“No person shall be considered an amateur oarsman or sculler, or coxswain:

1. Who has ever competed in any open competition for a stake, money, or entrance fee. (Not to apply to foreign crews.)

2. Who has ever competed with or against a professional for any prize.

3. Who has ever taught, pursued or assisted in the practice of athletic exercises of any kind as a means of gaining a livelihood.

4. Who has been employed in or about boats for money or wages.

5. Who is or has been by trade or employment for wages a mechanic, artisan or labourer.?

In 1884, amateur status for overseas oarsmen was put on the same basis as for home oarsmen, thus ending the concession on racing for money prizes. By 1886 a phrase had also been added debarring any person ‘engaged in any menial activity’.

These rules would become the cause of growing controversy as international entries to Henley increased; most foreign countries having a different definition of amateur. The adoption of Henley’s definition of amateur by the Amateur Rowing Association of Great Britain would also cause a 66-year schism in British rowing, when in 1890 a rival National Amateur Rowing Association was set up, with a much more inclusive definition of amateurism.

One well-known incident was the exclusion of future Olympic champion John B. Kelly, Sr., who had served an apprenticeship as a bricklayer, from the 1920 regatta. According to the minutes of the regatta’s Committee of Management, Kelly was excluded both because he was not eligible under the manual labour rules and because he was a member of Vesper Boat Club, which was banned in 1906 because members of its 1905 Henley crew had raised money to pay for their trip through public donations - making them professionals in the eyes of the Henley Stewards.^[6].

Kelly’s exclusion was widely reported in newspapers in both the UK and USA, with many seeing it as an attempt to prevent an American from winning the Diamonds. (Kelly's son John B. Kelly, Jr. would dramatically win the 1947 Diamond Sculls, and his daughter would become the famous Academy Award winning actress turned Princess of Monaco Grace Kelly, keeping the incident in the public eye for years afterwards).

In 1936 there was a further controversy when the Australian national eight, preparing for the Berlin Olympics, was excluded from the Grand Challenge Cup because the crew was composed of policemen, deemed to be ‘manual workers’. The resulting embarrassment persuaded the Amateur Rowing Association and the Stewards of Henley Royal Regatta of the need for change. On 9 June 1937, the offending references to manual labourers, mechanics, artisans and menial duties were deleted from the ARA rules; Henley’s rules were changed the following day, coming into effect from the 1938 regatta.^[7]

In September 1997, FISA removed all references to amateurism in its rules and in December 1998 Henley followed suit. The regatta is therefore now entirely open.

Women

For most of its history, Henley Royal Regatta has only been open to male competitors but this has changed more recently. Women coxswains of male crews were permitted from 1975 and as such the first female competitor in the regatta was Christine Paul, cox of Furnivall Sculling Club in the Thames Challenge Cup in that year.^{[8] [9]}

There was much discussion about the introduction of events for women. The Stewards felt that they faced a dilemma: on the one hand it was argued that women’s rowing would never flourish whilst there were no women’s events at Britain’s premier regatta; on the other it was clear that open women’s events would be dominated by foreign competitors, whilst events closed to foreign competitors would not serve the desired purpose.^[10] Another difficulty was the length of the course. The standard distance for international women’s races was at that time 1000 m. It was clear that races over the full Henley course (2112 m) would not be appealing to women’s crews preparing for international championships.

Peter Coni, who was elected as Chairman of the regatta’s Committee of Management in 1978, was supportive of the idea of introducing women’s events. However, he had had little time to take any action when there was an attempt to force the issue. Kingston Rowing Club sent in an entry for the Double Sculls Challenge Cup in the names of A.Hohl and P.Bird. The crew was in fact Great Britain internationals Astrid Ayling and Pauline Hart, who had made the entry under their maiden names. The regatta realised the subterfuge and Coni made a statement to the press in which he said that it was 'sad that a long-established club should think it reasonable behaviour to make a deliberately false declaration'. He added that the stewards had no fear of the Sex Discrimination Act.^[11]

Exhibition races

In 1979, the Committee announced that there would be exhibition events for women in 1981, with entries by invitation only:

The Stewards announced in December 1979 that they were considering the possibility of adding certain Events for Women to the Regatta programme. As a preliminary step two invitation events are being held this year, with racing from the Barrier start used for the Special Race for Schools. These events will enable the Stewards to assess the feasibility of including races over the shorter Course during the normal Regatta programme, and the desirability of the considerable extension to the hours of racing which any full Events for Women would necessarily involve.

– 1981 Henley Royal Regatta programme

The entries were limited to four in each event (Coxed Fours and Double Sculls); two from abroad and two from the UK. The standard was good, but it was reckoned that the course from the Barrier start (over 600 m longer than the international standard 1000 m) contributed to there being no close verdicts. ^[12]

In 1982, a Single Sculls Event was added and the start was moved to Fawley so that the course was closer to 1000 m. As the intermediate start installations were required for the shorter distance, the races had to take place during intervals in the normal racing programme (the lunch or tea breaks) which meant that only the dedicated stayed to watch.^[13] This was a pity, since the final of the Women’s Invitation Single was a highlight of the regatta, with Beryl Mitchell of Thames Tradesmen’s Rowing Club (World Silver medallist in 1981) beating Stephanie Foster of Waiariki Rowing Club, New Zealand (World Bronze medallist in 1982) by one length. Astrid Ayling was also able to race legimately, winning the Invitation Double Sculls event with Rosie Clugston.

The time taken to install the start equipment at Fawley combined with the relative lack of crowd interest meant that the Stewards took the decision not to repeat the experiment in 1983.^[14]

Introduction of current events

The change of the international distance to 2000 m and the addition of a fifth day to the regatta in 1986 allowed the Committee of Management to revisit the decision. In 1993 the regatta introduced an open Women’s Single Sculls event and from 1993-6 this counted as a round of the FISA World Cup. The first winner was Maria Brandin of Sweden and she subsequently won a further four times. Fittingly, the prizegiver in 1993 was Peter Coni. In 1996 the Stewards purchased a silver cup as a challenge trophy and named it the Princess Royal Challenge Cup; it was presented for the first time in 1997.

An invitation event for women’s eights was added in 1998. In 2000 this was replaced by an open women’s eights event under the same rules as the Grand Challenge Cup. In 2002 the Remenham Challenge Cup was donated by Remenham Club as the trophy for this event. At the 2001 Regatta an open event for Women’s Quadruple Sculls was introduced. In 2003 this event became known as the Princess Grace Challenge Cup in memory of Princess Grace of Monaco. Her father John B. Kelly, Sr. had been controversially excluded from the Diamond Sculls in 1920 because of the regattas rules on amateurism; her brother, John B. Kelly, Jr. had won the Diamonds Sculls in 1947 and in 1949. Princess Grace was the Regatta prizegiver in 1981.^[15]

see also Queen Mother Challenge Cup

Olympic Regattas at Henley

During 1908 and 1948, when London hosted the Olympics, the Olympic races were held on the regatta course. The Olympic races in 2012 will be held at Dorney Lake in Eton, the only event to be held outside of London aside from sailing (which will take place at Weymouth).

Spectators

The racing can be viewed from a number of locations along both banks of the Thames. Areas open to the general public are generally on the Berkshire (towpath) side of the river. The other side of the river (Buckinghamshire) side is limited to the Phyllis Court club, private residences and areas for corporate entertainment.

Stewards' Enclosure

The enclosure situated on the Berkshire side, adjacent to the last part of the course and the finish line. It comprises two covered grandstands, a restaurant marquee, several bars, a bandstand and so on - all set in immaculately prepared lawns. It is only open to the Stewards of the Regatta, members of the Stewards Enclosure and their guests. Overseas competitors are also given the opportunity to purchase tickets.

The waiting list for membership of the Stewards Enclosure is several years long, although preference is given to people who have previously competed at the regatta. The waiting list has grown rapidly since the 1970s, when membership could be applied for and granted on the same day.

The social position of the event means that some in the Stewards' Enclosure (and elsewhere along the course) may have no interest in the actual rowing.

The Stewards' Enclosure is also known for a strict enforcement of its dress code. Men are required to wear a "lounge suit, blazer and flannels, or evening dress, and a tie". Women are required to wear a dress or skirt that covers their knees, and are "encouraged to wear a hat". Anyone not suitably dressed can be refused entry, no matter their prestige in rowing or elsewhere. Mobile phone use is also prohibited.

The regatta prizegiving takes place in the Stewards' Enclosure after the conclusion of racing on Sunday.

Regatta Enclosure

The Regatta Enclosure is situated immediately downstream of the Stewards Enclosure and further away from the finish. This enclosure is open to all on payment of the admission fee. Competitors gain free access to this area. There is no dresscode.

Remenham Club

Remenham Club is situated a little over half way along the course on the Berkshire side of the river. It is a social club run by and for members of seven rowing clubs on the Thames (the "Founding Clubs"): Kingston Rowing Club, London Rowing Club, Molesey Boat Club, Staines Boat Club, Thames Rowing Club, Twickenham Rowing Club and Vesta Rowing Club. Remenham Club members take a close interest in the racing and the "Remenham Roar" is a notable sound of the Regatta. Remenham Club is open only to its members and guests. It has a similar dresscode to the Stewards Enclosure, though the rules on women's outfits are less restrictive.

Upper Thames Rowing Club

The clubhouse and frontage of the Upper Thames Rowing Club is on the Berkshire side of the river, immediately downstream of Remenham Club. It has an informal atmosphere and no dresscode. It is only open to its members and their guests. UTRC lease the land downstream of their clubhouse to retailers, food vendors and bars.

Remenham Farm

The grassland and farm buildings on the Berkshire side from opposite the Fawley box down to a point just upstream of the Barrier (approximately the 1100m - 700m points on the regatta course) is owned by The Copas Partnership. They lease the land to a large number of retailers, food vendors and bars including the well-known Barn Bar.

Leander Club

The clubhouse and grounds of Leander Club is situated on the Berkshire side of the river beyond the finish line of the regatta course, between the boat tents and Henley Bridge. Leander Club has a large marquee constructed for the regatta week and holds a large function on the Saturday night of the Regatta. It is open only to its members and their guests and has a formal dresscode.

Phyllis Court

The Phyllis Court Club is situated on the Buckinghamshire side of the river, opposite the finish line. It is open only to its members and their guests. Although it has an excellent view of the finish line, it is not generally frequented by rowers.

Events

The following events were offered at the 2006 regatta:

• Open Men
• Grand Challenge Cup (8+)
• Stewards' Challenge Cup (4-)
• Queen Mother Challenge Cup (4x)
• Silver Goblets & Nickalls' Challenge Cup (2-)
• Double Sculls Challenge Cup (2x)
• Diamond Challenge Sculls (1x)
• Intermediate Men
• Ladies' Challenge Plate (8+)
• Visitors' Challenge Cup (4-)
• Men's Quadruple Sculls (4x)
• Club Men
• Thames Challenge Cup (8+)
• Wyfold Challenge Cup (4-)
• Britannia Challenge Cup (4+)
• Student Men
• Temple Challenge Cup (formerly the Henley Prize) (8+)
• Prince Albert Challenge Cup (formerly the Men's Student Coxed Fours) (4+)
• Junior Boys
• Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup (8+)
• Fawley Challenge Cup (4x)
• Open Women
• Remenham Challenge Cup (formerly the Henley Prize) (8+)
• Princess Grace Challenge Cup (formerly the Women's Quadruple Sculls) (4x)
• Princess Royal Challenge Cup (1x)

See also

• Rowing (sport)
• The Boat Race
• Henley Boat Races
• Jack Beresford
• Sir Stephen Redgrave
• Leander Club
• Remenham Club
• Henley-on-Todd Regatta

References

External links

• Henley Royal Regatta
• The Rabbit's Guide to Henley Royal Regatta
• Video clips of most finals & semi-finals, 1999 to 2006
• Video clips of most Henley races in 2006
• Virtual Library rowing information
• Regatta Radio 106.0FM - the official Henley Royal Regatta Radio Station

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