Dartmouth Royal Regatta 2016: 25 - 27 August

×

Expand

The Red Arrows

The Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta is one of the most popular, eclectic and spectacular events held in the South West.

The following are just a selection of the many events taking place over the week. For full details of all events, including timings, you should consult the Official Regatta Souvenir Programme.

Dartmouth Regatta 2016 Programme

 SATURDAY 20th August

• Swimming Gala • Tennis Tournament • Last Night of the Proms • Regatta Fete • Dog Show

 SUNDAY 21st August

• Tennis Tournament • Small Ships

 MONDAY 22nd August

• Tennis Tournament • Small Ships Parade • Regatta Jump & Jive

 TUESDAY 23rd August

• Tennis Tournament • Regatta Ball

WEDNESDAY 24th August

• Tennis Tournament • Junior Scavenger Hunt • Golf Tournament  - DGCC • Regatta Rock  

• 2016 Regatta Opening Ceremony

 THURSDAY 25th August

• Tennis Tournament • WEARA Heats - Semi Finals and Finals • Children’s Fancy Dress

• Firework Display

 FRIDAY 26th August

• Tennis Tournament • Regatta Bowls • Red Arrows Flypast • Waiters and Waitresses Races

• Barrel Rolling • Trolley Grand Prix • Illuminated River Procession

 SATURDAY 27th August

• Tennis Tournament FINALS day  • Bungee Rowing • Water Polo • Fun Run • Road Race

• Steam Boat Rally • Classic Craft Review • Team Volvo Olympic Sailors • RAF Typhoon

• Firework Display • 2016 Regatta Closing Ceremony

It has been a major attraction since its inception in 1822 and to this day attracts tens of thousands of visitors which means the Regatta plays a vital role in the area’s economy, not just in Dartmouth but the whole of the South Hams. The 2016 Regatta promises to be as popular as ever and takes place between Saturday 20th August and Saturday 27th August.

There are over 50 separate events but of the many activities and attractions the rowing and sailing competitions remain at the heart of the Regatta. The Dartmouth Amateur Rowing Club and the West of England Amateur Rowing Club both stage a series of events during the week on the magnificent River Dart. This year there are over 250 crews competing in both local events and the annual series of races organised by the West of England Amateur Rowing Club.  The Embankment in Dartmouth is a favourite place from which to watch the events and the commentary over the Regatta public address system keeps spectators up to date.

Volunteers from the three local clubs, The Royal Dart Yacht Club, Dartmouth Yacht Club and Dittisham Sailing Club, organise the sailing events which are spread over the eight days of Regatta. The dinghy racing for the junior sailors takes place on the lower reaches of the Dart and for the senior competitors in the waters between Dittisham and Galmpton. 

The yachting events – of which there are over 50 - take place in Start Bay and we anticipate some 250 boats, ranging from older classics to high-end racing machines. They will provide for some very exciting and competitive racing.

In addition to the rowing and sailing there are a number of other well established sporting events. Athletics has been part of the Regatta since 1937 and is represented now by the Regatta Road Race, which will be run on Saturday 27th August over a very testing 5-mile course. There are also fun runs for children and young adults.

Other events on the sporting calendar include a swimming gala on the opening day; a week long tennis tournament is held at the tennis courts in Coronation Park which includes a closed event for local players and an open tournament recognised and supported by the Lawn Tennis Association; a one-day golf tournament at the Dartmouth Golf and Country Club on Wednesday 25th August with competitions for both men and ladies; a two day evening Darts tournament held at the Anzac Club in Dartmouth over two days during the evening of Monday 22nd August and Tuesday 23rd August and a very competitive water polo event held in the Boat Float on Saturday 27th August.

Every year the Regatta organises a variety of entertainment. The Marquee on Coronation Park is home to three evening events; Monday 22nd August sees a new event, Regatta Jump and Jive, with top swing band Company B and also featuring dancers from South West Swing; Tuesday 23rd August is the night of the Regatta Ball which has been restyled this year as Regatta Royale Ball with a James Bond theme and with music supplied by Joey the Lips and Regatta Rock night on 24th August features the Kast Off Kinks, the Four Fighters and local favourites Land of Giants. The Bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens also has a lively music programme throughout the week with a number of local bands including Buick 56, Eventine and FAB.

The Marquee is also the venue for the hugely popular Shopping Village with many craft stalls and delicious food to take home. There is also a vibrant Street Market on the North Embankment which operates for the whole week and some excellent food and drink outlets in Royal Avenue Gardens.

The arrival of the Royal Navy Guardship is one of the highlights of the week. This year for the first time for many years, the Regatta has been allocated two Royal Navy Ships, a Hunt Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel, often referred to as minesweeper, and a P2000 Patrol Boat which patrols the UK’s territorial waters. The names of the two ships will be confirmed in August along with arrival dates and times.

The scene on the River Dart will be spectacular because in addition to the two Royal Navy ships the Pelican Tall Ship, will also be visiting. The Pelican is a sail training ship based in Weymouth and will be in Dartmouth from 22nd to 27th August.

Other events on the river are the Illuminated Boat Procession held after dark on Friday 26th August and the Classic Craft review on the afternoon of 27th August.

The Regatta is renowned for being a family occasion and there are a number of events for children to enjoy including crab fishing and a colouring competition. Families can enjoy the spectacular Fun Fair and many other fun events such as trolley racing and waiters and waitresses races and the ever popular competition, Spot the Oddity.

This year the Regatta welcomes Volvo Car UK as a principal sponsor. This has enabled a number of events to be added to the programme, including an appearance on the bandstand in Royal Avenue Gardens of sailors from Team Volvo who will have just returned from Rio. In addition Volvo will be having a display stand in Coronation Park which will include a sailing simulator for budding sailors to try their hand.

One of the favourite parts of the whole of Regatta week are the spectacular Firework displays held on Thursday and Saturday evenings at 9pm. This year the Saturday display will be against a back drop of music to celebrate the Queen’s 90th birthday.

Sadly the events at Shoreham last year has meant restrictions have been placed on the programme of Air Displays, which have been a feature of the Regatta for many years. Work continues by the organisers to achieve an Air Display programme and it is hoped that two fly pasts by the Red Arrows on the Friday evening, as well as a display by the ever popular RAF Typhoon on Saturday can still be featured. The plan is that the Battle of Britain Memorial Flight will also display on both Friday and Saturday.

The Regatta is organised by a dedicated Committee of over 20 people and a further 200+ volunteers help to make the event run smoothly. Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta Chairman Ed Botterill says: “Overall the Regatta brings to Dartmouth a fantastic week of sport and entertainment with something for everybody. The Committee has been working very hard throughout the year to make the 172nd Regatta a very special event and I hope you will come to Dartmouth to join in and enjoy.”

For full details, including how to book for the Marquee Events, visit the Regatta website at

www.dartmouthregatta.co.uk. or get the Official Programme from shops around town.

Dartmouth Regatta 2016 Programme

We recommend you look at the following video by Skyworx Media & Production which provides a great birds-eye view of the activities on the water.