STRATFORD Boat Club stages its annual regatta next month.

The first such event, held in 1874, actually preceded the Boat Club founding. The entries consisted of two pair' events and a sculling event.

Since that time, the club has hosted an annual regatta with the expansion of events from fours and single sculling, to eights, fours, quadruples and doubles for multiple ages and levels.

Stratford Regatta hosts clubs from all around the country on Saturday, June 15. It's a great time to watch a sport that few in the world can say they are better at than those in the United Kingdom.

The event presents an opportunity to not only watch the skill of those who call it their sport, but you can also watch some dabblers.

On Sunday, June 16, Stratford BC hosts its annual Pubs, Clubs and Companies Race. Amateurs, 'real amateurs', make up crews for a wild competition in a mad dash down a shortened course in restricted fours - boats that are much tougher to capsize.

These scratch crews get only three hours of training, but compete as hard as those you see in the Olympics and World Championships.

Come down to the Avon next month and help make the Regatta an event that the participants and you will never forget.