Power House members, friends and family donned their blazers and got together on Thursday 29th and Friday 30th June 2023 to watch Australian school and university rowers compete in Henley Regatta.

Henley Royal Regatta is one of the most prestigious regatta in the world. It is the highlight of the UK summer rowing calendar and the social season. Visited by more than 300,000 people each year, Henley Royal Regatta boasts over 300 races across six days of elite sporting competition.

The Mayor and people of Henley first held the regatta in 1839 as a public attraction with a fair and other amusements. The regatta has been held annually ever since, with the exception of the years affected by the two World Wars and, more recently, the COVID-19 pandemic. While the regatta started out as a public amusement event, the emphasis rapidly changed so that competitive amateur rowing became the overarching purpose of the event. The Regatta took place on a single afternoon, but proved so popular with oarsmen that the racing lasted for two days from 1840.

This years competitors from Australia included:

• Sydney Rowing Club
• King’s College, Queensland
• Brisbane Boys’ College
• Melbourne Girls’ Grammar School
• St. Catherine’s School, Sydney
• Melbourne University
• Buckingham Rowing Club
• Pymble Ladies’ College
• Australian National University Boat Club
• Canberra Rowing Club
• Brisbane & GPS Rowing Club

Several of the Australian crews made it through initial heats, but unfortunately none succeeded in making it to the final. For full results visit the Henley Regatta website. for more photos of the fun visit the Power House Photo Gallery.

Many thanks to Alex, who organised the evening, manning the bar and ensuring everyone was loaded up with pizza during the race viewing. A great way to get together with fellow club members and watch some fine displays of rowing!