Portadown Times May 2010
"Roll on the regatta"
Published Date: 04 May 2010
PORTADOWN Boat Club's annual showpiece regatta will claim the sporting spotlight tomorrow (Saturday).
The packed programme is set to feature around 110 races from 8.30-6 o'clock as rowers from all over Ireland arrive in town to tackle the River Bann course.
The regatta is a firm favourite on the national rowing calendar but also serves as the perfect platform on which to highlight Portadown's positives.
Each annual event attracts impressive support from the general public along the banks of the River Bann in a celebration of community alongside the competitive demands of the 1,000-metre course.
Stephen Donovan, this year's club captain, is relishing his first regatta in such a senior position.
"I have been a member of Portadown Boat Club for around six years but obviously this weekend marks something special on a personal level," he said. "The Portadown regatta holds massive appeal for those outside of the area and we can expect clubs from as far afield as Dublin to travel up and take part.
DEMANDING
"Everyone connected to the club puts a lot of time and effort into the preparations and certainly this week has been pretty demanding in terms of getting the clubhouse in top shape.
"However, it is certainly worth the hard work and we can expect a full programme on Saturday so that is extremely exciting.
"We have become quite adept at juggling the demanding race schedule and tend to push on with racing from early morning up to the evening deadline.
"So many factors go into creating such a special atmosphere around the clubhouse on regatta day and that is certainly part of the attraction for visiting rowers.
"The stretch of water is also particularly good and offers quite a test for rowers, so that is another plus.
"The hope is we can secure a few home wins on the day to add to the celebrations." "
The regatta is a firm favourite on the national rowing calendar but also serves as the perfect platform on which to highlight Portadown's positives.
Each annual event attracts impressive support from the general public along the banks of the River Bann in a celebration of community alongside the competitive demands of the 1,000-metre course.
Stephen Donovan, this year's club captain, is relishing his first regatta in such a senior position.
"I have been a member of Portadown Boat Club for around six years but obviously this weekend marks something special on a personal level," he said. "The Portadown regatta holds massive appeal for those outside of the area and we can expect clubs from as far afield as Dublin to travel up and take part.
DEMANDING
"Everyone connected to the club puts a lot of time and effort into the preparations and certainly this week has been pretty demanding in terms of getting the clubhouse in top shape.
"However, it is certainly worth the hard work and we can expect a full programme on Saturday so that is extremely exciting.
"We have become quite adept at juggling the demanding race schedule and tend to push on with racing from early morning up to the evening deadline.
"So many factors go into creating such a special atmosphere around the clubhouse on regatta day and that is certainly part of the attraction for visiting rowers.
"The stretch of water is also particularly good and offers quite a test for rowers, so that is another plus.
"The hope is we can secure a few home wins on the day to add to the celebrations." "
