THE regatta is up there with traditions when it comes to the City of Durham history – and this weekend will mark the 18th instalment of the highly-popular event.
In what is expected to see thousands attend the historic city on Saturday (June 11) and Sunday (June 12) – the UK-famous regatta in Durham will return after four years of disruption in what promises to be an action-packed programme.
For the first time since 2018, Regatta festivities will take place after both days of the 2019 Regatta had to be cancelled because of rapidly rising river levels causing unsafe conditions over the weekend, while the 2020 event was cancelled because of Covid-19 restrictions.
Read more: Durham Regatta 2022: All the details for this weekend's event
In 2021, both days of racing went ahead without bankside entertainment, and spectators were asked to stay away because of concerns about the spread of the virus.
However, this year, it won’t be an issue.
Just before the Regatta kicks off – we’re here to tell you everything that will be at the Regatta over the weekend.
According to organisers, a range of trade stalls and options for purchasing food and drink will be available for visitors.
Entertainment will include performances by the Durham Music Service, Clarinetix, and the Durham City Wind Band on Saturday afternoon, and by Pittington Brass Band and Durham University Brass Band on Sunday afternoon.
There will also be a variety of roving entertainers and street theatre acts including a magician, bubbleologist, stilt walkers, pirate, and mermaid, as well as face painting, inflatables, and fairground rides.
County Durham Fire & Rescue Service will be on site to provide demonstrations.
However, this is much, much more. There will be a classic car show, as having the Vikings re-enactment group on both days, as they prepare for the UK’s largest Viking festival, VikeFest 2022, near Derby later in June.
The Dunholm Vikings, who are based in Durham, will be on site demonstrating their skills including weapons and armoury displays, cooking, textile crafts, basketry, and net-making.
Combat demonstrations will take place throughout the afternoon, with an opportunity for children to be drilled in shield-wall technique and to take part in a controlled mock battle.
And now to the rowing. After the draw for racing has been made, there will be over 500 races over the weekend with a race scheduled to start every two minutes on Saturday and every two and a half minutes on Sunday – starting at 8am each day.
A spokesperson for Durham Regatta said: “We look forward to two days of exciting racing, starting at 8am each day, involving rowers of all ages and boats of all sizes from singles to eights representing schools, clubs, and Universities from across the North of England and beyond.
“Durham Regatta is a key part of the sporting and social calendar for the Durham University Colleges who will be vying with others to get their hands on one the impressive collection of 57 trophies that will be presented at the prizegiving at the Gala Theatre after the completion of racing, at 8pm on Sunday evening.”
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