The River Great Ouse will once again be front and centre of attention on Saturday, 9 May as the Bedford Regatta returns for its 160th edition.
With 1,800 competitors from 48 different clubs racing in a programme of 282 races, the town’s oldest sporting event promises to once again be an action-packed day of rowing, with races beginning every two minutes.
Dating back to 1853, the Bedford Regatta is the oldest sporting event in the town, taking place along the picturesque Embankment.
The sport in Bedford dates back to the 1840s, when private races were informally arranged, but the first “official” Bedford Regatta took place on 25 August 1853. Despite poor weather, a good crowd lined the banks for the eight organised races, featuring 24 rowers.
Skip forward to 2026, there are now 1,800 athletes taking part in side-by-side racing that features 44 different events, with thousands of spectators lining the banks, creating a unique and exhilarating atmosphere as crews race through a pantheon of sound.
Regatta Secretary, Hugh Maltby, commented that the event has once again attracted a huge number of entries, with the organising committee having to close entries three weeks before the official closing date.
Bedford’s rich history on the water
Hugh also recently unearthed an extraordinary, little-known fact.
Since 1920, there have been 25 Summer Olympic Games, of which 18 have included at least one rower from Bedford, with all of them competing at the Bedford Regatta at some point during their time in the town.
The total medal count for those Bedfordians representing Great Britain is seven gold, four silver, and two bronze.
These include Jack Beresford, one of Britain’s most successful Olympic rowers with five medals (only surpassed by Sir Steve Redgrave), as well as gold medallists, Tim Foster and Phelan Hill, to name but a few.
Hugh added that, undoubtedly, there will be athletes competing this weekend who will go on to represent Great Britain at future World Championships or Olympic Games.
All will take away the experience of racing at the Regatta, which offers a unique atmosphere with crews shouted on by the throngs of spectators lining the banks, otherwise known as the famous ‘Bedford Roar’.
For spectators, rowing is simple to follow, with side-by-side racing over a 1,200-metre course. Even for those new to the sport, the combination of fast racing and riverside crowds makes for an engaging experience.
The public enclosure is located at the Suspension Bridge and offers one of the best viewing points on the course, along with a range of refreshments including a licensed bar.
Those inspired by what they see will find plenty of local interest, with all five Bedford clubs involved in the racing.
Bedford Rowing Club and Star Club will both be present, and both offer introductory rowing courses for beginners, opening the door to a sport that has been part of the town’s history for more than 170 years.
Racing will run between County Bridge and the Suspension Bridge, starting at 8.15am and concluding at approximately 7.30pm.
You can find out more information about the Bedford Regatta here.
