National Schools' Regatta


National Schools' Regatta is the largest rowing regatta for junior rowers in Great Britain. Held annually in May, the three day regatta offers events for junior rowers between the categories J14 and J18.

History

The regatta was first raced in 1947 as the "Colts and Third Eights Regatta", when Desmond Hill the master-in-charge of rowing at St Edward's School, Oxford, invited the third VIIIs of Shrewsbury, Bedford and Radley to race against St. Edwards in Godstow. The event was repeated annually at a number of locations in the Thames valley, and then later at Pangbourne, until in 1963 when it moved to the Child Beale Trust Estate. With the growth of the regatta and the addition of many more events for junior crews the regatta changed its name to "The National Schools' Regatta" in 1964. In 1973 the regatta moved to Holme Pierrepont, due to the frequency of unfair weather conditions at the Child Beale Estate, and the ability to hold six lane racing at Holme Pierrepont. With the possible closure of the lake announced, it was feared that the regatta would have to move location again, but the closure threats receded and the regatta remained in Nottingham. Owing to Holme Pierrepoint having organised a triathlon over the desired weekend, the organisers were forced to relocate the regatta to Dorney Lake in 2016, where it was held from 2017 onwards, with the event cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Events and Recent Winners

Queen Mother Challenge Cup (Ch.8+)

The Queen Mother Challenge Cup for championship eights is the regatta's premier event, featuring the first eights of the traditional, 'championship' rowing schools of England. The event attracts approximately 12 entries each year, with smaller schools usually entering the Child Beale Cup for School eights. The Queen Mother forms part of the title known as 'The Triple', which also consists of Championship eights at the Schools' Head of the River Race and The Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup at Henley Royal Regatta. Due to the high level of competition, the Queen Mother Challenge Cup has only been won by nine schools and one club:
Eton College,
Abingdon School,
Hampton School,
Radley College,
Shrewsbury School,
St. Edwards School, St Paul's School, Westminster School,
Pangbourne College,
Wallingford Schools Boat Club

Recent Winners


Non-Championship Eights is an event for Schoo and Club VIIIs and has traditionally been entered by smaller and less well established or funded schools. There is a similar event named First Eights at Schools' Head of the River. The Child Beale Trophy was last awarded in 2018 to Bedford School and the event is now renamed to 'Non-Championship Eights'. One month later at Henley, Championship and Non-Championship eights race together in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup.

Recent Winners

The Aylings Challenge Cup for Championship Girls Eights has become the blue riband event for junior sweep women, with increasing entries in recent years to match the increase of junior womens rowing across the UK. A notable success has been that of Headington School who retained the trophy for 9 consecutive years between 2009 and 2017. The Aylings Challenge Cup makes up one of the three trophies for the Junior Women's Eights Triple, including Girls' Ch8+ at Schools' Head of the River and the Peabody Cup at Henley Women's Regatta.

Recent Winners

2015

2013

Event results do not currently include 2017 due to no public timing results.
Event NameClub NameYearTimeNotes
Championship EightSt Paul's School20195:48.10
Championship Girl's EightHenley Rowing Club20196:34.50In Heat
Non-Championship EightMonmouth School20195:54.59
Second EightRadley College20196:00.92
Girl’s Second EightHenley Rowing Club20196:49.01
Third EightEton College20126:19.58
Championship QuadHenley Rowing Club20196:02.14
Championship Girl's QuadHenley Rowing Club20196:54.08
Second QuadLeander Club20196:10.20
Second Girl’s QuadNottingham RC20166:10.20Event Discontinued
Championship Coxless FourHampton School19996:13.75
Championship Girl’s Coxless FourHenley Rowing Club20197:07.65
Championship Coxed FourEton College20166:27.70
School Coxed FourWestminster School20196:40.95In Heat
Girl’s Coxed FourKingston Rowing Club20197:22.73
Championship PairRadley College20196:50.97
Championship Girl’s PairKingston Rowing Club20197:37.25
Championship DoubleLeander Club20196:40.85
Championship Girl’s DoubleGloucester Hartpury20197:26.8
Championship SingleRob Roy BC20077:10.26C Cousins
Championship Girl’s SingleCorleraine Gramma, NI20197:54.88Molly Curry

The Course

The regatta used to be held at the National Water Centre just outside Nottingham, as it is one of only a few multi-laned courses in Britain. Sometimes the weather is windy, so the regatta may have to be cancelled. This led to calls for the regatta to be moved to Dorney Lake, where the 2012 Olympics rowing events took place, although it is just as much prone to wind problems. Although the National Water Sports Centre is better placed geographically for competitors to travel to from across the country, the regatta was moved to Dorney Lake in 2016 and has been held there since.

2008 Regatta

After three 1st VIIIs, entered in the Childe Beale Cup, from The King's School, Canterbury, Bedford Modern School, and Shiplake College, swamped, it was decided by the officials to completely cancel the rest of the racing for both the Saturday and Sunday. The officials have been heavily criticised for not reacting quickly to the situation, and for not stopping racing earlier, instead placing some of the athletes in serious danger - an eight from The Oratory School ploughed straight into the swamped crew from The King's School, Canterbury, hitting some with blades and damaging their boat, moments later the Kingston Grammar School eight narrowly avoided hitting the Bedford Modern School eight, a black Resolute which was very difficult to see in the wavey conditions.