First registered in 1846 Gravesend Regatta is one of the oldest regattas in the UK, with only the prestigious Henley Royal Regatta being older. This year Gravesend Regatta celebrates 176 years of traditional skiff rowing on the Thames.

2019 saw the Gravesend Regatta re-form as a registered charity (No 1181692) and it is now known as Gravesend Regatta Society.

The organising Committee is made up of elected members of the public, who all give their time voluntarily, plus 2 members appointed by Gravesham Borough Council.

We, as a Society, are keen to find enthusiastic people to join us, bringing along exciting new ideas, but who will also help us to continue providing the residents of Gravesham and the surrounding areas, an opportunity to keep fit by taking part in a traditional sport and maintain it's fine history within the Borough.

Training takes place from April to September, every Tuesday and Thursday, at 5:30pm by the Rowing Club. These sessions give you a chance to learn to row and then practice, with a view to taking part in Regattas and other races over the Summer season. 

Check our Facebook Page Gravesend Regatta to get the latest news...

Gravesend Town Regatta 2022

This year's Regatta took place on the 13th and 14th August at the Gordon Promenade Leisure Area. The river races included fine boat rowing from Gravesend Rowing Club, Gravesend Regatta Society Clayton Skiffs, a Pilot Gig from Denton based Thames Barbarians and Gravesend Sailing Club's two day Open Dinghy Event. There were also Thames Waterman's Cutters raced by crews from the town's Port of London Authority and the London Port Health Authority.

This year, we were delighted to be able to receive and display the 'Kings Cup' trophy on the Promenade. This historic cup was retired from presentation back in 1970's and is usually kept safely in the Mayor's Parlour. Huge thanks go to Gravesham Borough Council and, in particular, to Cllr. Peter Scollard, the current Mayor of Gravesham, for allowing the cup to return to the promenade for the Regatta weekend for all to see.

The King's Cup was contested in the Portworker's Challenge Race by local crews from the Port of London Authority and the London Port Health Authority, rowing in the Gravesend Clayton Skiffs. There is a friendly rivalry between the two river based authorities, with the PLA crew being the winners on this occasion.

Pictured below is the PLA crew, lifting the King's Cup after winning the Portworker's Challenge Race 2022.

Full race results can be found here. 2022 Regatta Results

From April to September, training sessions are held for you to practice your rowing skills. Training is held every Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30pm. Assemble to the left of the Promenade (when facing the river), meeting outside the Rowing Club. If the weather is bad, check our Gravesend Regatta Facebook page to see if the session is still going ahead. 

The origin of the Gravesend Regatta is lost in the mists of time, but there is little doubt that they were held as far back as Tudor times.

Read on to find out how the modern day regatta came about...

We always need new crews to ensure that one of the oldest Regattas in the country can survive.

We currently invite entries for crews from pubs, clubs and port workers amongst others. Races are held for both mens and ladies teams, along with mixed and veteran categories.

Apart from the main Regatta, we also hold other races and events during the summer rowing season, which runs from April to September every year.

We aim to attract people from all walks of life, who just want to have a good time, whilst keeping fit and can help keep this traditional sport going too!

Details of where to meet, what times training sessions are and what to do next can be found here.....

For the first time in the history of the Gravesend Regatta, 2006 saw sponsorship of our skiffs.

In return for sponsorship, the Society advertises the company name on the side of each skiff and our motor boat. The company logo is also included on all our posters, along with photos of the boats.

Every time the Regattas are reported in the local papers, on Facebook or Instagram, the accompanying photographs serve as a further advertisement.

If you've looked through our gallery you've likely seen previous sponsor's names on our skiffs. If you would be interested in sponsoring the Regatta in some way please read on...

The Gravesend Regatta Society-Traditional Fixed Seat Rowing has been set up to make collecting training monies, racing fees and members details easier for rowers and the Committee.

If you wish to join The Gravesend Regatta Society Fixed Seat Rowing Club, and are 18 and over, please go to :- Membership Form

Email Gravesend Regatta Society