Events
WRC runs three events during the year.
The events, Wallingford Regatta, Wallingford Long Distance Sculls and Wallingford Head, are run under British Rowing (previously The ARA) Rules. The Wallingford Events Committee oversees the organisation of the three British Rowing events.
The Club's main recruitment is through this event with many who participate going on to join the Beginners’ Course. Many rowers who have completed the course have gone on to compete successfully at Henley, Women's Henley, the National Championships and many other regattas.
Wallingford Regatta takes place at the end of April/early May (The Bank Holiday weekend) and is held at Dorney Lake, the London 2012 rowing venue.
Wallingford Long Distance Sculls, held in late September or early October attracts world class scullers from around the country to compete over a 4,000 metre course on the River Thames from Little Stoke to Wallingford. Pairs and quads also enter this head race.
Wallingford Head, held in early December (or late November), is held over 4,800m of the River Thames, again from Little Stoke to Wallingford. Entries are invited for sweep oar boats and it is one of the few pre-Christmas Heads in the country to offer racing in eights.
Composite Crews at Wallingford Events.
Over the past few years there has been a growing feeling in some quarters that Club level rowing within the UK has been damaged by the increase in composite crews entering club level events. Following much discussion the Wallingford Events Committee has decided that it will not accept composite entries for any events other than in Elite categories.
It is hoped that this move will encourage club level athletes to enter our events in the knowledge that they can compete on a level playing field.
Ben Townsend
Chairman, Wallingford Events.
August 2009.
