Henley will also hold a unique place in the rowing domain as it was in fact instituted a good time before any international rowing federations were established. Due to the event having its own rules it is not subject to those laid out by the Amateur Rowing Association. It is a very social event with many quality Henley hospitality services in operation. In fact Henley is second only to Cheltenham hospitality on the corporate entertainment calendar.
Henley does not use the multi-lane races like the internationally regattas but instead runs a knock-out style program with 2 boats in every heat. This can mean the organization of around 90 races on some days of the event. To ensure the event is completed in time, competitions begin at 5 minute intervals.
The length of the Course is 1 mile 550 yards, which is 112 metres longer than the standard international distance of 2,000 metres. There are often two races taking place at one time on the river as it takes approximately seven minutes to cover. The Finals are raced on the last day of the event, meaning that the number of races needs to be cut down each day leading up to the last.
There are nineteen different race events – six types of race for 8’s, five types of race for 4’s (coxed and coxless), four for Quadruple Sculls, and runs for Coxless Pairs and Double Sculls. Additionally the event holds single sculling runs for both women and men. The first women competed in a full Regatta race in 1993 when a new event was inaugurated, the Women Single Sculls. Quadruple Sculls for both men and women were introduced in 2001 after an open event for Women’s Eights began in 2000.
Crews from around the world hed to Henley each year from countries including the Netherlands, Croatia and the Ukraine. Last year 98 crews were from overseas. This years event promises to be the best yet with more diversity in the crews and the highest caliber of rower Henley has ever seen. There will be plenty of corporate events and things to see and do for all ages.
Tags: Corporate, Events, Henley, Henley Regatta, Rowing