NEWS UPDATE: The rowing event on the Saturday is cancelled due to the weather but the National Coumty Championships on the Sunday is still going ahead. The Blues Festival will still be happening whether it’s windy or not!
Swanage Sea Rowing Club is to host two major championships over a weekend, attracting 48 gig rowing clubs and the best rowers from 12 English counties to the seaside town in Dorset.
Swanage members aiming for more rowing success and less of the Blues!
Weekend of rowing and Blues
It will be a bumper weekend from Saturday 5th to Sunday 6th October 2024 as not only will there be the Super Vets Championship and the National County Championships but the Swanage Blues Festival will also be in full swing.
The first super vets championship competition took place in Swanage in September 2023 and due to the success was rebooked for 2024.
The event for those aged 50 and over will take place on Saturday 5th October 2024 with 48 gig rowing clubs taking part.
On the following day, Sunday 6th October 2024, the National County Championships will take place with the best rowers from 12 counties including Dorset, Devon, Cornwall, Hampshire, Somerset and London competing in a full day of exciting racing.
The action takes place in the bay with the winning line near to Swanage Pier
Beautiful sunny weather for the Super Vets Championship in 2023 and the organisers will be hoping for more of the same in 2024
Top venue for rowing
Both events are weather dependent but the hope is that the sun will shine and prove that Swanage is a top venue for rowing events.
Traditionally, many of the big competitions are held in Devon or Cornwall but Swanage has shown that it’s ideally suited to these types of championships.
The main racing activities will take place in Swanage Bay with a small regatta village set up on Shore Road by the Swanage Information Centre, providing refreshments.
Spectators are more than welcome and will be able to watch the action from along the beach and promenade.
Spectators can watch from the beach and Shore Road
Plenty of visiting crews in 2023 including Boscastle and Crackington in Cornwall
“Positive for our local hospitality and retail businesses”
Secretary of Swanage Sea Rowing Club Debbie Witney said:
“As both events are high profile championships, we are expecting more than 600 participants plus supporters each day, which like last year, should be very positive for our local hospitality and retail businesses.
“There will be approximately 44 gigs launching and recovering from the beach on Saturday and 12 gigs on Sunday.
“As experienced event organisers, we understand that this will cause some disruption but we will do our best to ensure appropriate measures are in place to minimise any potential negative impact.”
Due to the number of vehicles and trailers attending this event, the whole length of Shore Road will be closed from The Mowlem to Ocean Bay between 6 am and 7 pm from Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October 2024.
Shore Road will be closed again for the two day event to allow for the movement of the gig boats and trailers
Plenty of silverware up for grabs
New members
Swanage Sea Rowing Club welcomes enquiries from prospective new members and although it’s coming to the end of the competition season, rowing continues throughout the year in Swanage Bay.
- Recreational rowing – Saturday mornings 8 am to 12 noon
- Juniors training – Saturday mornings 9.30 am to 10.30 am
- Men and women’s training – Sunday mornings 8 am to 12 noon
Further information
- More about Swanage Sea Rowing Club and how to get in touch with the club is on its website
