About us
Lea Regattas are community rowing events on the River Lea in Hackney, East London, organised by Lea Rowing Club - a local charity run by volunteers. We typically host two public regattas each year: Lea Spring Regatta in April and Lea Autumn Regatta in August/September.
Open to all, we welcome women and men, young and old, from complete beginners to elite athletes. Crews travel from across the South and East of England, and past competitors have gone on to win at Henley Royal Regatta, race in the Boat Race, and even compete at the Olympic Games!
Our course is a sheltered, side‑by‑side sprint that’s perfect for rowers and spectators alike. Located beside a busy stretch of public towpath, spectators are just metres from the action. Thousands of people pass by throughout the day, creating a lively, family‑friendly atmosphere.
The Lea Rowing Club boathouse, next to Springfield Park, serves homemade cakes and has a well‑priced bar with balcony views over the finish line. Whether you want to race, cheer from the towpath, or simply soak up the atmosphere, we’d love to see you on regatta day!
What to expect
A day at a Lea Regatta is fun for everyone - whether or not you know anything about rowing!
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Thrilling side‑by‑side sprint racing over a 650 metre stretch of canal.
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A packed programme, with competitors of all ages and experience.
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Free towpath viewing just metres from the action; family and dog friendly; step‑free.
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Great café, homemade cakes and a reasonably priced bar at the boathouse with balcony views.
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Getting here: beside Springfield Park, Hackney (E5 9BL). Walk and cycle via the towpath; or public transport to Clapton Common.
Check out the dates for our next regatta on the homepage.
Our history
Rowing in Hackney dates back to the 18th century, when the River Lea Navigation was built to improve trade between London, Hertfordshire and Essex.
Competitive racing began with wager and professional match races, often backed by local publicans—among them the Anchor and Hope and the Prince (now Princess) of Wales, both still serving the community today.
By the 1860s, the Lea had become a hub for working‑class sport. Local companies and religious organisations founded clubs, and regular organised regattas took root—a tradition that continues on the river to this day.
Lea Rowing Club has grown to become Britain's largest rowing club, with a reputation for prioritising inclusion and broadening access to rowing, alongside performance rowing at the highest level.
Learn more about our history on the Lea Rowing Club website.
Partner with us
We're always on the lookout for potential partners and sponsors for Lea Regattas.
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Audience: Thousands of towpath passers‑by on the day, plus hundreds of athletes, coaches and supporters from clubs across the South and East of England.
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Visibility: Branding opportunities on the towpath and at the boathouse, website/PA/programme acknowledgements, and coverage across our website and social channels. You could name an event or trophy, or put a banner on the balcony - or something more creative!
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Community impact: Your support helps a volunteer‑run charity, and Britain's largest rowing club, widening access to rowing for local people of all ages and backgrounds. We were British Rowing Club of the Year in 2022.
Interested in partnering? Please contact us to discuss tailored opportunities.
