Come and enjoy a couple of days by the river
Wargrave & Shiplake Regatta is a celebration of traditional boating. There’s racing for all ages across dongoling, skiffing, canoeing, punting and rowing, and we welcome complete novices through to seasoned competitors. We also have the popular Regatta Swim early on the Saturday morning.
The Regatta usually takes place on the first Friday and Saturday in August and is held in Lower Shiplake, in a beautiful setting at the end of Mill Road. The field by the river is transformed into the event enclosure, with food and drink stalls, children’s play area, beer tent and Regatta shop. And of course plenty of room for spectating, gazebos and picnics.
Racing starts at 9.30am on the Friday morning and finishes late afternoon on the Saturday. It happens on the stretch of water between the railway bridge and a little upstream from The George and Dragon pub in Wargrave. The end of the racing is followed by prize giving, then later on our legendary fireworks.
In the run up we hold plenty of practice sessions, and a couple of ‘have-a-go’ afternoons for complete beginners to try out the various types of boating with expert tuition. We provide all the boats and paddles, oars and poles.
If you want to have a go and test the water, the Scratch Dongola is for you (like dragon boating but in a punt. Six people in each crew). Come to the Regatta Enclosure early on Saturday morning to put your name down and be entered into a crew. Racing starts later in the day and no previous experience is necessary.
Visiting the Regatta
The enclosure opens at 6am on the Friday for the erection of gazebos, with racing starting at 9.30am (317 races taking place over the two days!).
The prize giving takes place after the last race on the Saturday.
The Regatta fireworks are on Saturday night at 10pm and can be viewed from the Regatta Enclosure. Many people also come and watch by boat from the river.
Getting to the Regatta
The Regatta takes place in Lower Shiplake, at the end of Mill Road, RG9 3LY. Parking is available and it’s about a 15 minute walk from Shiplake train station.
A ferry runs from The George & Dragon in Wargrave across to the enclosure from 8am on the Friday morning and 5.45am on the Saturday morning for those entering or watching the swim.
Entry Costs
If you’re racing you’ll need to enter online here. The entry fees are listed on this page too.
Spectators can buy tickets on the gate (under 5’s get in for free).
Friday & Saturday ticket: £12
Saturday only ticket: £8
Car park: £6 per car
Ferry: approximately £1 each way (from the George & Dragon pub in Wargrave)