Seaview Regatta - 2013
23rd August 2013
It was with great pleasure that I was asked by this year's President Becky Hardie to photograph, on her behalf, the 138th Seaview Regatta. Being born at the bottom of Seaview Hight Street and living in the village for 25 years you would say that the Regatta is well and truly in my blood and I am proud to have mine and my family names of Turvey & Watts engraved on several of the Regatta trophies.
The Regatta is held over traditionally the third week of August and the events start with a magnificent display of sailing events including the ever so sought after cup called the Carr Challenge cup or more affectionally known as the Carr crash!!! That then is followed by the Tug of War, which is now turning into an ever so grand event with live music and a delicious Hog Roast too. Usually an early start is in order for the swimming races and children's beach sports, with the quick dash round to the Seaview Yacht Club for the diving and Greasy Pole, which by the way made it to ITV's You've been Framed show and its a brave soul that tackles the Pole!!!! During the day the Outboard dinghy race is held and now is traditionally the chance to have a good old fashioned water fight as the maximum 5hp outboards fight it out for the two trophies. Peter Hall at the Old Fort entertains the crowd with great live music throughout the event and it was great to see a band that I normally work with at IOW weddings - Cornerstone UK, rock the parade 'til late on Wednesday night.
Thursday, or Regatta Day as it's known, is they day of the serious rowing races, the same village families have been battling over he prestigious cups for 40 years now and still the calibre of rowing is amazing. This can be a gruelling race from the Halland Slipway to Quay Rocks Slipway and teams of three or four sprint down the course in eight beautifully hand built sciffs. In choppy seas this is exceptionally challenging. Youngsters too get the chance to compete in Walker Bay dinghies in which you will definitely see the odd clash of oars!! The rowing events finish with the Rescue race where the gents row from the shore to rescue the fair maiden that has jumped from the nanny boat swimming fast to their rescuer and the first to the beach must kiss the President to win the race! At the end of all the races the President is then traditionally thrown into the sea, though this year Becky was gracefully laid in shallow waters by the team of Hermans & Luck. Not all the activity is water based as from the crack of dawn the street sellers set up their stalls and Seaview promenade takes on a whole new feel and becomes a "Covent Garden" style market place for the day with delicious cupcakes on offer, beautiful artwork for sale and some amazing shoes and clothing too!
After the prize giving ceremonies, speeches and applause has finished the Regatta is brought spectacularly to a close by the finale Firework display which is held from a barge anchored of Seaview which for decades have seen crowds gracefully gathered at the bottom of Seaview High Street. A hugely successful Village Regatta, not only for the President, but for the competitors and businesses alike and Emma Watts Photography would like to congratulate Becky Hardie and committee for hosting yet again a most spectacular event.
Click here to see photographs from the Regatta
The Regatta is held over traditionally the third week of August and the events start with a magnificent display of sailing events including the ever so sought after cup called the Carr Challenge cup or more affectionally known as the Carr crash!!! That then is followed by the Tug of War, which is now turning into an ever so grand event with live music and a delicious Hog Roast too. Usually an early start is in order for the swimming races and children's beach sports, with the quick dash round to the Seaview Yacht Club for the diving and Greasy Pole, which by the way made it to ITV's You've been Framed show and its a brave soul that tackles the Pole!!!! During the day the Outboard dinghy race is held and now is traditionally the chance to have a good old fashioned water fight as the maximum 5hp outboards fight it out for the two trophies. Peter Hall at the Old Fort entertains the crowd with great live music throughout the event and it was great to see a band that I normally work with at IOW weddings - Cornerstone UK, rock the parade 'til late on Wednesday night.
Thursday, or Regatta Day as it's known, is they day of the serious rowing races, the same village families have been battling over he prestigious cups for 40 years now and still the calibre of rowing is amazing. This can be a gruelling race from the Halland Slipway to Quay Rocks Slipway and teams of three or four sprint down the course in eight beautifully hand built sciffs. In choppy seas this is exceptionally challenging. Youngsters too get the chance to compete in Walker Bay dinghies in which you will definitely see the odd clash of oars!! The rowing events finish with the Rescue race where the gents row from the shore to rescue the fair maiden that has jumped from the nanny boat swimming fast to their rescuer and the first to the beach must kiss the President to win the race! At the end of all the races the President is then traditionally thrown into the sea, though this year Becky was gracefully laid in shallow waters by the team of Hermans & Luck. Not all the activity is water based as from the crack of dawn the street sellers set up their stalls and Seaview promenade takes on a whole new feel and becomes a "Covent Garden" style market place for the day with delicious cupcakes on offer, beautiful artwork for sale and some amazing shoes and clothing too!
After the prize giving ceremonies, speeches and applause has finished the Regatta is brought spectacularly to a close by the finale Firework display which is held from a barge anchored of Seaview which for decades have seen crowds gracefully gathered at the bottom of Seaview High Street. A hugely successful Village Regatta, not only for the President, but for the competitors and businesses alike and Emma Watts Photography would like to congratulate Becky Hardie and committee for hosting yet again a most spectacular event.
Click here to see photographs from the Regatta
