Bigger & Better: 5 Islands Regatta 2024

Thanks to 5 Islands Event Manager and Poole Gig Club member, Carl Haslam for providing this race report.

2024 saw the Poole 5 Islands Regatta enter its 3rd year. This year the regatta was moved to October, from its traditional setting of August, to help deconflict the gig rowing calendar. We hope to be back in our August slot in 2025.

Despite a move to October, the event grew yet again from previous years, and the weather was very kind on the day. The event was again hosted in the beautiful waterfront location of Hamworthy Park, which provides an uninterrupted view of Poole Harbour and the race courses.

Ahead of racing, the 5 Islands always starts with a Friday night get together on Poole Quay, for those who wish to meet up and socialise. It was great to see so many taking up the offer again this year, enjoying conversation and the live music.

Race day saw 21 clubs entered, with 59 crews racing across men’s 7k + 2k, women’s 9k + 2k, mixed 1.5k, and junior 1.5k.

Medals and trophies were on offer for:

• The quickest men’s crew across both their races
• The quickest women’s crew across both their races
• The quickest mixed crew
• The winning junior crew
• And a trophy for the club who completed all 5 adult races in the quickest time

The men’s long race saw them circumnavigate Long Island and Round Island. The women’s long race saw them circumnavigate Furzey Island and Green Island.

All sprint races set off from Brownsea Island, or, Long Island, back to Hamworthy Park and the awaiting spectators

Despite clubs racing cumulatively for circa 2 hours, triumph on the finish line came down to just seconds!

Swanage won the men’s trophy in 43m 58s, over Weymouth, over Poole.

Bridport won the women’s trophy in 1h 1m 12s, over Poole, over Swanage.

Salcombe won the mixed trophy in 8m 3s, over Weymouth, over Poole.

The overall trophy was won by Swanage in just under 1h 56m, over Poole by just 17s, over Weymouth by a further 14s – amazingly competitive racing!

As the event wrapped up, a newcomer shared, “Our first time there; certainly won’t be our last! We utterly loved it.” Another participant said, “Absolutely awesome day! What a fab regatta with some great rowing! Thank you so much, Poole; we had the best day.”

Sadly the ’round Brownsea Island social row on the Sunday, was cancelled ahead of time, due to weather conditions.

We are starting to plan for 2025 already, so we ask the gig rowing community to look out for the published dates soon (www.facebook.com/the5islands); our plan has always been to grow year-on-year, and show off the expanse and beauty that Poole Harbour has to offer gig rowing, so if you’ve not attended the 5 Islands yet, we hope to see you next year!