FRIDAY FUN DAY
FRIDAY 30TH AUGUST
FRIDAY is the day the Hospitality businesses go into battle along side some of our cadets from the Britannia Royal Naval College! and you can join them.
Located on the Boatfloat with the first races starting around 10.30am, is the place to be to see this time honoured local tradition.
The Regatta committee reminds onlookers and participants that they are there at their own risk, you will get wet, and they or the sponsors cannot take responsibility for their safety. With the prize of Almost International Glory for the winners, this is always a hard-fought race and teams are reminded that the Regatta officials’ decisions are always final. Oh, and fancy dress is a must
TRADITIONAL WAITER & WAITRESSES RACE
Always a fun contest, no longer just a competition for locals working in our local’s. Visitors are more than welcome too… mostly 😊
Dartmouth is full of restaurants, cafes and pubs that sell food, so it’s pretty obvious that it has its fair share of waiters and waitresses, and they are all keen to prove that not only their establishment is the best in town, but their staff that have the capability of serving the quickest.
However if you want to step into your inner Waiter or Waitress.. think Downton Abbey meets the Queen Vic! Then why not give it a go!
Although winning is a must, speed isn’t the deciding factor for the race to get over the finishing line first. No, it’s skill, style and balance that gives the edge to the winner that takes the prize, because it’s the one with the most liquid left in their glass at the end who is crowned winner.
The measuring is ALWAYS carefully scrutinised by the judge at the finishing line.
BARREL ROLLING
In days gone by…. one of the highlights of Regatta for the locals, is the fact that the crews of visiting Royal Navy ships could usually be persuaded to come ashore and show off their prowess by taking part in the Barrell Rolling Race. We are, however, still very fortunate to have the impressive Britannia Royal Naval College overlooking our town.. so the crews do not have as far to travel!.
Their presence in the event is sure to bring out a few of the local lads, determined to show off their own muscles and dexterity.
It’s not exactly the field gun competition at the Military Tattoo, but you’d never know that from the effort put in by the teams, all determined to prove that they have the required skills to win. Fortunately for the crowds that line the route, we don’t often get teams who have the necessary skills, and so the event is fabulously funny entertainment.
The teams of four have to manoeuvre the barrels by hand only (it is strictly forbidden to pick a barrel up), and it is an instant disqualification for any team that is perceived to be rolling their barrel without due care and attention.
Get your team of four together and sign up!
INTERNATIONAL TROLLEY GRAND PRIX
There is no record of the first time this event was held, but it is now such a well-established part of Regatta that it is guaranteed to attract teams from as far away as Kingswear!
The most hotly contested of the “Just for Fun” events, when teams of two, consisting of a driver and a mechanic, are entered by local establishments and the armed services, who play such a big part in our Regatta. The race is pretty basic – at the signal, the driver pushes their trolley, in which sits a container of fuel (water)!! along The Embankment to The Crab, and then back to start line.
But it isn’t that simple. This is where the mechanic comes in. Obviously, as the trolley races along the track it uses fuel, not in the conventional way of Formula One – this is only Dartmouth, not Monte Carlo – so the fuel leaks from holes in the containers. The poor old mechanic has to keep running from the refuelling tank to their trolley to refill the container. Once the container is empty the driver has to stop and wait for their mechanic. Any driver who moves without fuel could be disqualified. The winners are the team that crosses the finishes line first. Are you keeping up??
Anyone thinking of entering a team should insist on being the driver, as they definitely have the easier job. Not only are the fuel tanks leaky, but so are the buckets provided for the mechanics to refill them.
THE DAYS EVENTS SPONSORED BY
PLEASE NOTE: All timings are subject to change. Each event will be confirmed in our 179th Edition of the Regatta Souvenir Programme.
This year with front cover with Artwork by one of our fabulous local artists. Simon Drew
You can buy a copy in Royal Avenue Gardens from the Information Hut on Sunday 1th August, with copies being available from a variety of outlets.
- BP Garage, Townstal
- Kingswear Post Office
- Dartmouth Visitor Centre
- Dartmouth Yacht Club
Or Online
We are sharing the details on this website, but we would encourage you please, please to buy a programme. It’s a great read and full of interesting articles as well as all the detail. We, all volunteers, receive no funding at all, and it costs around £180,000 to stage the event. We need to ensure we can keep Dartmouth Regatta going for years! Thank you!
DARTMOUTH ATHLETICS ROAD RACE
1130hrs – Road Race Registration (Navy College Main Entrance) |
1400hrs – Children’s Fun Run (Navy College Main Entrance) |
1500hrs – Road Race (Navy College Main Entrance) |
1510hrs – Youth Road Race (Navy College Main Entrance) |
1600/1630hrs – Road Race presentations (TBC) |
The timing and locations are different this year and that the race will go through the BRNC – college.
“Due to road damage 2024 race route had to be modified. The course starts and finishes by the Navy College main entrance. It will go through Dartmouth town, up Newcomen road and back using Above town road. Victoria Road all the way up to the top entrance of the Navy College and run within the College. Gravel tracks and short sections on grass will be used within the College grounds.
The race distance is 4.5 miles.
Online entry to close on the Friday 30th August 2024.
On the day entry to close at 2pm on race day.
Venue Facilities: STRICTLY NO PARKING at the Navy College. There is limited parking in the town centre so it is recommended to use the Park and Ride. There are public toilets at Avenue Gardens and Market Square. Family, Friends and Supporters will NOT be granted access to the Navy College grounds.“
