The waters of the River Itchen will be alive with the sounds of boating activity this Saturday 7 February, as students from four of the region’s universities compete in the South Coast University Boat Race.
Joining the host boat club from the University of Southampton are competitors from Southampton Solent University, Bournemouth University and the University of Portsmouth.
From 12:00, over 200 rowers are expected to compete in Division 1 and 2 races across Novice, Intermediate and Senior categories for men and women in twos, fours and eights. All races will cover a 5km course starting at the Itchen Toll Bridge in Southampton and finishing just before the Boat Hard at Riverside Park. Division 1 races are set to start at 12.00 and Division 2 races will start at 15.00.
Southampton’s Boat Club Captain Roman Martin says that spirits and relationships between the four competing universities have never been better,
“It’s reasonably early on in the season for us so this is essentially prep for the first competitive event in two weeks. For the new people who only started rowing this year it is the second and longest race they’ve ever had so excellent practice for them. The races are best viewed at the Itchen toll bridge and from Riverside Park so would be great to see spectators enjoying the event,”