Important Notice regarding the 2018 Bournemouth Regatta.

I have been advised by Bournemouth Rowing Club that they have decided, after a number of weeks of deliberation and exploring all the options that they will not be unable to host a regatta this year. 

The Club has stated that it has been in a precarious position for a number of years and that despite there best efforts to increase membership and raise funds, the fact that they have no permanent base and are restricted by what we can do at their temporary home makes this difficult. They are very close to breaking point, and need to focus all their efforts on the survival of the club. 

The Association and a number of individuals have offered their support  but at the moment the Club  cannot see anything that will change the situation. If it were down to only one of the two issues - finances or lack of personnel - they could explore options. But the fact that are really struggling on both fronts, means that we just can't see a way forward at present. 

They have not taken this decision lightly, but with their current financial situation and lack of personnel running a regatta has become an impossible task.

Therefore, unless something changes in the near future the Association has to state that there will not be a Bournemouth Regatta this year - but hopefully, with the Associations support, the Regatta will return in 2019.

This will have some implications - 12 instead of 13 events - and the Hants & Dorset Season, subject, to cancellations and re-runs, will be over by the end of July - with the Newport Regatta weekend the last H&D Championship Regatta. The Association will also need to re-think the plans for the end of season council meeting and any Championship row-offs required - and more information on this will be provided once the Associations Executive Officers have had an opportunity to consider the implications.