The Regatta

The first recorded competitive regatta was held on the river Dart at Dartmouth in 1822. Other informal regattas were held in some of the following years leading to the establishment of Dartmouth Regatta in 1834. The regatta later to become the Port of Dartmouth Regatta and in 1856 the Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta. The regatta has always been a major annual rowing and sailing regatta based in the Devon port of Dartmouth.

Organised by a committee of local volunteers, the Regatta is held over 3 days on the last weekend of August.

The Regatta is based around a programme of rowing and sailing events, but also incorporates a busy programme of activities including air displays, fireworks, a large fair, and many other smaller events that happen in and around the town centre.

The Regatta is totally funded through voluntary donations and sponsorship.

Nearly 100,000 people visit Dartmouth during the Regatta period, swelling the town’s population of 6,000+ and making Dartmouth Regatta one of the largest public events in the South West, and the second largest Regatta after Cowes Week.