Organisers hope for an oar-some time
Organisers of the Shrewsbury Regatta are gearing up for this years event and it is all hands to the pump.
The 2017 Shrewsbury Regatta will take place this weekend and is one of the oldest events in the rowing calendar, having first been held in 1871. Races will take place on the River Severn between English Bridge and the boathouses opposite the Quarry at 8.30am on Saturday and Sunday morning.
Rowers will be travelling to the town from all over the country and more more than 1,000 competitors will be taking part. Races will take place roughly every three minutes.
There will be races for 8s, 4s and pairs as well as quad, double and single sculling boats.
Competitors will include men, women, juniors and veterans.
Entry to the regatta for spectators will be free of charge and the public will be able to watch the racing from the river banks on both sides of the river. There will be a bar and barbecue as well as other refreshments for all the family.
Regatta Committee member, Michael Ratcliff said: "It promises to be a great weekend. We will have crews coming from all over the country and it is an event which has become firmly rooted in the rowing calendar. There will be teams from across the rowing community including several from Shrewsbury School, Shrewsbury High School and also from Harper Adams. Teams are travelling from as far away as Guildford and last year we had some travel from The Netherlands.
"The races start at 8.30am and continue throughout the day, every three or four minutes. We have many classes for entrants from juniors for those aged around 14 to the masters which could be anything up to 80. There are 300 crews coming and some of those will have entered in to different classes. The atmosphere will be great."
The event, which has only ever been cancelled due to war or flooding, is an important revenue fundraiser for the club. Entry fees for the crews go towards the purchasing of new boats and equipment.
