News
Kingston River Celebration 14th -22nd July
The Kingston River Celebration highlights Kingston’s rich maritime heritage with a historic boat display taking place along the riverside from Kingston Bridge to Eagle Brewery Wharf. Music and entertainment at Eagle Wharf along with a Thames Landscape Strategy display coincide with the 150th Kingston Amateur Rowing Regatta which takes place on Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 July. The river celebrations culminate with the Dragon Boat Challenge and Festival of Sport at Canbury Gardens on Sunday 22 July.
Saturday 14 July and Sunday 15 July
Kingston Regatta – Enclosure on Barge Walk
The 150th anniversary of the Kingston Regatta takes place on Saturday July 14 and Sunday 15 July with hundreds of local, national and even international schools and clubs compete at the Regatta racing every four minutes in 300 races all day Saturday and Sunday. The rowing takes place downstream towards Kingston Bridge and spectators can view from the public enclosure on Barge Walk, which costs £1.50 entry including program or view on the riverbank and Riverside walk with Ferry Boat link between Minima and Regatta Enclosure. Contact 07952 586784 or visit www.kingstonregatta.co.uk for further information.
Kingston River Celebration – activities from Kingston Bridge to Eagle Brewery Wharf
Kingston Regatta enclosure open on the Barge Walk
Ferry Boat link between Minima and Regatta Enclosure
Historical River Walks led by Kingston Tour Guides
Boats on the River include:
Two racing skiffs – The Skiff Club
The Jubilant – HM The Queen’s Royal Thames Barge
‘Henry’ – traditional Thames Sailing Barge
Historic Boat display at Charter Quay piazza:
‘The Lady Mayoress’ – historic Thames Shallop in the livery of the Company of Waterman and Lighterman
‘Megan’ – historic Thames camping skiff – built by Turks in 1888 and part of the Turks fleet that was used by Jerome K Jerome on his historic journey. The skiff will be kitted out in full Edwardian camping mode to include canopy, wicker baskets and seats.
Rob Roy Canoe – historic (1895) canoe built by Turks in Kingston. Owned and cherished by Baden Powel and will be linked to the 100th anniversary of the founding of the Boy Scout movement
‘The Rose in June’ – The only surviving Thames Wrerry. Constructed at Richmond, the Thames Wrerry was the boat of choice for London’s Waterman. In 1800, one in five Londoners made their living constructing, using or associated with the Wrerry. She will have her sailing mast up.
Saturday only
Display of boats from many of the rowing, skiff, canoe, sailing and punting clubs between Teddington Lock and Molesey with information on how to get involved and what each club does:
Jolly Boat
A new class of rowing boat designed for these reaches of the Thames. Designed to be made and rowed by local youth groups. Each is sponsored by a different City Livery Company.
1 Racing punt – Dittons Skiff and Punting Club
2 Racing Skiff – The Skiff Club – with small display
3 Racing dingy – Twickenham Yacht Club
4 Racing Canoe – Royal Canoe Club
5 Traditional Thames ‘Salter’s’ skiff – Thames Landscape Strategy boat
6 Dragon Boat – Kingston Royals
7 Wooden Class 4 Racing Dinghy – Tamesis Sailing
Eagle Brewery Wharf will host:
Thames Landscape Strategy ‘Putting the Thames Back into Kingston’ Display
Children’s face painter
Music from ‘the Famous Gatsby Jazz Band’
Sunday afternoon music also includes: The Kingston Orpheus Choir will perform a special programme of River Festival songs; Global Arts Kingston presents Bollywood Dance Spectacular and Princes In The Tower – Medieval psychedelia!
h2. During the week river clubs will be hosting a series of ‘open house’ evenings including:
Tuesday 17 July – Walbroke ‘At Home’
Wednesday 18 July – Minima Yacht Club ‘At Home’
Thursday 19 July – The Skiff Club BBQ
Sunday 22 July
Dragon Boat Challenge & Festival of Sport at Canbury Gardens
Canbury Gardens is the place to be on Sunday July 22 with the sound of drums beating on the river and plenty of free sports tasters and displays to keep you occupied throughout the day.
Rotary Boat Challenge
Enjoy an exciting, colourful, fun-filled event for the whole family that fills the air with the beat of drums and the sounds of Hawaii Five-0. Take a stroll down to the riverside and watch the spectacular Dragon Boat Challenge, organised by the Rotary Club of Kingston and supporting charities within the borough. A great day of fun for all the family with sideshows, stalls, bouncy castle, children’s funfair rides with plenty to eat and drink, a picnic area and the Boaters Pub. This promises to be an event with great atmosphere, fantastic team spirit and one not to miss. All money raised goes to Born Too Soon and the Rainbow Trust Children’s Charity
Racing starts at 9.30am with the Grand Final at 4pm. Finish Line by the Boaters Pub.
Nearest Public Car Park is Seven Kings located at Richmond Road/ Sury Basin / Skerne Road
Festival of Sport 10am – 4pm
Running alongside the Dragon Boat challenge, there’s plenty of riverside fun for the whole family and a chance to try out a huge variety of FREE sporting activities at the Festival of Sport, organised by Sport Kingston in partnership with Kingston Sports with Recreation Services and the co-operation of many sports clubs and leisure providers within Kingston.
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