Henley Royal Regatta postponed and plans drawn up to potentially move it to Dorney Lake

Organisers of the Henley Royal Regatta have confirmed this year’s event will be postponed until August because of COVID-19.

The event was originally scheduled to take place from June 29 to July 4, and may yet take place in Henley from August 10-15, however, alternative plans have been drawn up to potentially move it to the London 2012 Olympics course at Dorney Lake. Dates for a potential regatta at Dorney are still being considered.

Last year’s event was cancelled for the first time since World War Two because of the coronavirus pandemic. Course installation, both on and off the river and along the banks of the Thames in Henley, usually begins in March.

Henley Royal Regatta attracts both amateur and professional rowers, Olympians, university, and school teams, including several from the Royal Borough. It was first staged in 1839.

Marlow’s Sir Steve Redgrave, chairman of the regatta, said: “A difficult decision made with a heavy heart but inevitable and the right one for now. HRR will happen just as soon as it is safe for everyone to train together and to travel together.

“I am really looking forward to that time, we are getting there, just not quite there yet.”