Regatta will draw on inspiration from the Rio Olympic Games

Regatta returns to Lewes this summer with another riot of boats, bonfire societies and an armada of crazy rafts racing down to the sea.
Borough Bonfire Society win the inaugural Bonfire Dash trophy on the river Ouse in Lewes, East Sussex, Sun 19th July 2015. The first regatta in the town for 105 years saw 21 rafts, 20 canoes, 20 boat and four Bonfire Societies battle for new trophies commissioned to mark the 40th annual Lewes to Newhaven charity raft race. SUS-160413-103459001Borough Bonfire Society win the inaugural Bonfire Dash trophy on the river Ouse in Lewes, East Sussex, Sun 19th July 2015. The first regatta in the town for 105 years saw 21 rafts, 20 canoes, 20 boat and four Bonfire Societies battle for new trophies commissioned to mark the 40th annual Lewes to Newhaven charity raft race. SUS-160413-103459001
Borough Bonfire Society win the inaugural Bonfire Dash trophy on the river Ouse in Lewes, East Sussex, Sun 19th July 2015. The first regatta in the town for 105 years saw 21 rafts, 20 canoes, 20 boat and four Bonfire Societies battle for new trophies commissioned to mark the 40th annual Lewes to Newhaven charity raft race. SUS-160413-103459001

Last year’s regatta – the first since 1910 – was a huge success as more than 5,000 spectators packed the riverbanks all the way to Newhaven.

This time, organisers are going for gold on Sunday, July 3 with an Olympics theme to celebrate the Rio Games which start in August.

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Up to 25 teams will build rafts highlighting the different sports or honouring heroes. They will then paddle like crazy for two to three hours to be first down to Newhaven, pelted all the way with flour bombs and raw eggs.

Other events will include a noisy procession of boats, canoe races, and a spectacular finale as the famous bonfire societies race through Lewes on dragon boats ablaze with flames and fireworks.

Regatta is being organised by a new group, dubbed the Riffrafters, set up jointly by Lewes Rowing Club and Round Table. Riffrafters chairman Gavin Keegan said: “The Olympic motto is faster, higher, stronger. Ours might be rafter, dafter, longer laughter. This is a wonderful day for everyone to enjoy that finest of all sports, messing about in boats. “

Two sponsors are already supporting this year’s event, Bright-Tech Investments Ltd from Newhaven and Giles Leisure, the swim pool, hot tub and sauna supplier in Lewes. Lewes Town Council has also awarded a £1,000 grant for a new safety boat.

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All the action will again be based by Malling Recreation Ground, with races starting at Wiley’s Bridge. Cliffe, Waterloo and South Street Bonfire Societies have already signed up to try to capture the magnificent Tesco Dash Trophy from holders Borough.

Round Table chairman Liam Jackson said: “We had some wonderful rafts designs last year but this time The Olympic theme should give everyone special inspiration.

“After last year’s huge success we are expecting a flood of entries, so anyone who wants to take part should get on board now and complete an entry form before the deadline of May 16. We have a maximum limit of 25 rafts for safety reasons.”

Visit www.facebook.com/lewesregattaandraftrace or email [email protected] for an application form.

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