The continued growth in the numbers of young people coming in to the sport and its own immense popularity have hugely increased the size of the entry at the National Schools Regatta in recent years. As a result the Organising Committee have had to consider radical change in order to deal with the situation. Rather than attempting to restrict numbers, the Committee have maintained their ethos of encouraging the young to compete. Consequently they have decided that they must now extend the event to a third day. This will not only enable the regatta to provide a more balanced and less pressured programme, but also to restore at least some events for the J14 year group.

Until now the regatta has taken place on the Saturday and Sunday of the Spring Bank Holiday at the end of May. The intention is that from 2004 onwards, the event will start on the Friday when there will be a shorter programme of racing over 1000 metres for the younger (J14 & J15) age groups in the smaller boat events.

As usual, the Saturday programme will feature the Eights events, over the full course and the whole age range, culminating with the highly prestigious Queen Mother's Cup for Championship VIIIs. The Sunday will continue to provide highly competitive racing for the older age groups in the smaller boats, including the usual number of Championship events.

Full and precise details are now published on the Entries pages

It is hoped that all concerned will welcome this innovation and see it as a major and positive development. The regatta looks forward to welcoming many new and enthusiastic supporters.