Cambridge Autumn Regatta
Join Cambridge '99 RC for the 44th annual Cambridge Autumn Regatta!
Sunday 8th September 2024
Generations have trained and raced on the Long Reach of the Cam, and we are proud to be a part of that by hosting the only British Rowing affiliated regatta in Cambridge. Cambridge Autumn was first run in 1981, and is now in its 44th year.
The 550m side-by-side sprint course is raced from a stake boat start at the Railway Bridge downstream to the finish at Ditton Corner. Wide lanes and easy river access on both sides makes this perfect for novice, intermediate and junior boats... or experienced rowers making their debut in a new boat class!
Any questions?
Before the regatta, up to 8pm Sat 7th Sept, any problems or questions can be directed to autumn@cambridge99.org
Once on site, you can go to race control, or ask any umpire or marshal for assistance.
Entry secretaries will be notified what to do if problems arise in the early morning before the regatta.
Important regatta information
Safety and welfare
Please read these key notes for competitors before the regatta.
Further safety and welfare documents are shared here for your information.
The documents will also be available from your entry secretary and will be available in print at race control.
Draw and timetable
The timetable for racing is now on RowStats.
In case of late changes, please check back here on Saturday before the regatta (though wil endeavour to contact any rowers affected by changes).
Races start at 8.30 am and will run until approx 6pm.
We are looking forward to welcoming rowers aged 12 to 70, for 64 events, including our first octuples race.
211 lucky winners will take home a tankard!
Accessibility and inclusion
Para and adaptive rowers are welcome at the regatta, and this site is well-suited to supported rowers, with onsite parking and towpath along the course.
Rowers and coxes with limited mobility (eg: para athletes or older masters rowers), or those with any disability requiring extra support, are asked to contact autumn@cambridge99.org to discuss how we can best support your accessibility needs.
Rowers and coxes who are neurodivergent (autism, ADHD, dyslexia and more) will find quiet spaces throughout the regatta. Those new to racing can ask at race control for a full explanation of processes for boating and racing in the regatta.
A coach or supporter is welcome to follow racing boats on bike or on foot, especially where they are supporting novices, or rowers with accessibility needs.
Travel and trailering
Regatta location and access
Our regatta is held on Ditton Meadow, north east of Cambridge city.
Vehicles enter via High St, Fen Ditton, Ditton Meadow, Cambridge, CB5 8ST.
Google Maps: Ditton Meadow, CB5 8ST
what3words: update.mixers.forklift
Pedestrians and cyclists can meander along the river to the event from town or Cambridge North station.
Trailer and car parking
For visitors, it’s easy trailering access from the A14 without going through town.
Once you get close to Ditton Meadows, the site will be signposted in Cambridge ‘99 colours: blue, yellow and green.
Trailer and car parking is available on site for free.
Please only park in the field, not on the narrow lanes, which blocks traffic for our neighbours.
Train, bus, taxi
Travel to Cambridge North station and walk 20 mins to the site.
Alternatively, travel to Cambridge main station and take the #3 bus towards Fison Rd. Hop off at Keynes Rd (one or two stops after McDonalds), then walk 10 mins to the site.
Local taxi service Panther Taxis can be reached on 01223 715 715 or via their app.
Food, drink... and an icecream in the sun!
The club will be serving drinks of all kinds - beer, wine and non-alcoholic options.
Water will be available for purchase, though we recommend you bring enough for your crew for the day.
Our build-your-own salad bar will offer healthy options for all, plus homebaked cakes and treats with vegan and gluten free options.
We will also have on site a coffee cart and burger van to satisfy your post-race hunger, and of course an ice-cream van, perfect for your last sunny regatta weekend!
Feel free to bring your own picnics but please note there should be no glass in the field, as this is usually home to a herd of cows.
The Big Row: Love Rowing's charity fundraiser
This year we are collaborating with Love Rowing on their Big Row, a national challenge to row the distance from Paris to LA (15,241 km) between 5-8th September.
All racing at Autumn Regatta will count towards this - every individual, every race, every km.
You can also take part in our erg challenge! How far can you row in 2min? Prizes for the fastest juniors, novices, open and masters rowers.
This fundraising challenge helps British Rowing fund inclusive, accessible rowing activities so that everyone can enjoy the sport that we love.
FAQ
Can I enter in any class of boat?
Yes, you can! If you are a member of a CRA Club you can enter as an 8s crew using the form here. All other entries go through BROE.
I want to race, but trailering my own boat is too difficult to organise. Can I rent a boat?
Yes! Contact us at autumn@cambridge99.org and we can arrange that with you.
I want to row, but I don't have British Rowing membership - what can I do?
We are featuring the British Rowing Day Ticket, which makes it more affordable for occassional competitors. Find out more here: Day Ticket pilot competitions 2024-2025 - British Rowing.
Can town and college crews boat from town?
Yes, and you should inform the Regatta Committee on autumn@cambridge99.org.
Can I come and watch the rowing on the day?
Yes, we would love to have you! It's totally free to come down and spectate - it's a great day out for all the family, with a bar providing a variety of drinks and great selection of food available - including a special '99s ice cream! So why not bring your picnic blankets and chairs and enjoy a day by the river, watching the exciting races at this wonderful location?
Can I book a row through?
As this is a British Rowing official regatta, row throughs aren’t bookable in the same way as for local regattas as the racing is continuous throughout the day (not in divisions like a head race). We also use stakeboats, ie two tubs pairs stuck into the river under railway like this ||> <|| so the gap is narrow.
But, if you come up to railway bridge and make yourselves known to the marshals, they’ll ask the umpires for a gap in racing, and then you’ll simple follow down one of the races.
On the way back from the lock, you’ll need to wait at Ditton for a safe gap, then you’ll join the marshalling boats travelling up to the start at Railway. This could be slow, but you’ll be able to get through. As before, the marshals will wait for a gap in racing and shepherd you through the gap.
General regatta information
British Rowing regatta
This regatta is held under the 2024 British Rowing Rules of Racing and RowSafe guidance - a perfect chance to get formal racing experience.
This is the only affiliated British Rowing Regatta held on the Cam.
We are featuring the British Rowing day ticket entry system, which makes it more affordable for occasional competitors. Find out more from British Rowing here.
We also host 8s races for local rowers affiliated with the CRA or CUCBC via a separate entry process. Any small boats from local clubs should be entered through British Rowing as usual.
All events offered!
Entries are closed for 2024.
Find out about the entry process for future regattas here.
This course is particularly good for those looking to build up racing experience: novices, juniors, masters... or those looking to make their debut in a new boat class.
We may close entries early if oversubscribed.
Doubling up is allowed at your own risk. Competitors (crew and coxes), boats, and blades are restricted to two events. Please advise of doubling up on BROE2 with each entry.
Regatta committee 2024
Regatta co-chairs:
Tamz Byrne and Charlie Cooper Henniker
autumn@cambridge99.org
Captain of Club: Keith Garrett
captain@cambridge99.org
Club treasurer: Josh Butler
treasurer@cambridge99.org
Race committee (umpires): Andrew Blit, Jo Cotgrove, Gavin Dods, Anne Hignell
Entries secretary: Lianne Stanford
Safety: Declan Cox (regatta day), Simon Hoer (club)
Welfare: Katy Mackenzie (regatta day), Tamz Byrne (club), welfare@cambridge99.org
Volunteer coordinator: Tamz Byrne
Communications: Seb Peel
... and dozens more volunteers across the club!
© Cambridge 99 RC, 2024
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