Lea Autumn Regatta

incorporating the Thames Valley Explore League finale

Sunday 31st August 2025, Hackney, London

Lea Autumn 2025 sees the return of our popular Lea Mans format:

a combined skills-based time trial and side-by-side racing for recreational rowers

Instructions to Competitors

Draw & Timetable

Open to mixed quadruple sculls (with cox), both novice and more experienced crews
"Explorer" boats and sculling blades provided by Lea Rowing Club
Open to all British Rowing members & clubs (Day Tickets can be used)
And for spectators: homemade cake, merch and a balcony bar with unobstructed view of the finish line.
Entries are now closed but come and enjoy the fun!

You can read a review of the 2023 Lea Mans event here.

Entry guidelines

Update - 28th August: Entries closed last Friday and we have eight crews in the novice event and seven in the experienced event

A link to Instructions for Competitors can be found above.

All crews will race in mixed Explorer coxed quads. Boats and blades will be provided by Lea Rowing Club.

We offer two categories:

The Novice/Primary event is open to competitors who started rowing after 1st January 2024. The Organising Committee will rely on clubs’ honesty to ensure compliance with this regulation and reserves the right to query crews and if necessary, change or reject a crew’s entry.
The Experienced/Stable event is for recreational rowers who have been rowing for some years. The Organising Committee reserve the right to band the event if entries dictate.

Please note that:

Each crew must include a minimum two female rowers (not including the cox).
Cox can be any gender, but must be experienced and 12 years or older.
All participants must have British Rowing "ROW" or "RACE" membership, or purchase a Day Ticket for 31st August.
We accept entries from all British Rowing clubs (whether or not you are affiliated to the Thames Valley Explore League).

To enter:

Use the British Rowing Online Entry system
Entries open on 28th July at 9.00am and will close on 22nd August at midday, or earlier if full.
Entries are £13 per seat (£52 per boat) to be paid on entry. Cox goes free.

Draw to be published mid-week before the event.

Racing format

The regatta is a combination of a skills-inclusive time trial and side-by-side races:

The time trial: All crews in their division assemble at the landing stage. At approximately two minute intervals, each crew will run to its pre-assigned boat (with oars/footplates already adjusted) and push off to start their skills-based time trial. This will be a timed out and back row of around 2.5k with obstacles.
The side-by-side races: Side by side races (two boats) of around 500m from a free start. Run under BR Rules of Racing. The racing draw will be determined from the time trial results.

It is essential that crews read the detailed instructions which will be issued at least three days before the competition. There will also be a verbal briefing on the day.

For clubs that are affiliated to the Thames Valley Explore League, your results will count towards your TVEL league points.

After the finals, the results, prizes and TVEL 2024 trophy presentation will take place in the clubhouse. Prizes will be awarded to the first placed crews in the "A" final of each event.