Bedford Regatta this year was held on Saturday 17th May.
In response to suggestions from a number of competitors, Bedford Regatta took the bold move to eliminate small boats from this year's regatta, making it an event for eights, fours and quads only.
A calculated move or a brave stab in the dark? Fortunately, it would seem to have been the former. It has become increasingly apparent over recent years that competitors now feel that the 'guarantee' of at least two races at a regatta makes multi-lane races operating a repechage system a more attractive proposition than the traditional side-by-side regattas (such as Bedford).
With the additional race slots made available by eliminating the small boat events, we had the capacity to run 'Plate' events for events with at least eight entries. The loosers of the first round were automatically entered for the Plate event, to race for a minor prize. A minimum of two races was therefore assured for those crews wishing to take advantage of the system.
As it is impossible to enter a Plate event before the day itself (you can only compete in one by virtue of loosing a race in another event), winners did not accrue status points or loose their novice status.
The Bedford Quarts Sprint regatta, which is traditionally held the day after Bedford Regatta, this year moves back to its traditional weekend between Henley Regatta and the National Championships. This year it will be on Saturday, 12th July. Please contact the Bedford Rowing Club events secretary, Gavin Dods for further information.