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Spectator Information
WELCOME
We are delighted to welcome you to National Schools' Regatta, the UK's premiere junior rowing event. Whether you are a first time supporter or a returning rowing fan, you will be assured of a warm welcome and a wonderful three days of exciting racing.
National Schools' Regatta takes place at Dorney Lake, Windsor
The Regatta is currently hosted at the 2012 Olympic rowing venue - Dorney Lake. The location provides an inspiration to junior rowers from all over the UK and Ireland. Dorney is located near the historic town of Windsor, a centre for business, culture, commerce and leisure. With its international reputation and permanent presence in the top ten list of ‘must visit’ places in the world, the Royal Borough of Windsor & Maidenhead blends rich historical connections with successful modern business development.
Dorney Lake is set within a beautiful landscaped leisure park, located near Windsor and Maidenhead, surrounded by rural landscapes. There are excellent transport links with key motorways and trains to the rest of the United Kingdom. Indeed the race venue is within 30mins from Heathrow Airport for our competitors and supporters travelling from further afield.
For those who want to take a break from watching the racing or who are supporting for more than one day, the regatta course is well located with Windsor Castle, Legoland and many restaurants near by.
With plenty of accommodation for clubs and schools in the vicinity, we encourage supporters to join the regatta for the weekend!
Dorney Gate opening times:
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06.00 to 21.00 Friday 26th May,
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06.00 to 21.00 Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th May.
For the duration of the 3-day event a temporary traffic order has been applied for to prohibit vehicles parking on Court Lane.
The road will be marshalled and anyone found to be parking on the restricted highway will be liable to be issued with a Fixed Penalty Notice or your vehicle may be towed away.
Directions
Spectator Directions:
Eton College Dorney Lake, off Court Lane, Lake End Road, Dorney, Windsor, Berkshire, SL4 6QR
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Dorney Lake is situated 5 mins from the M4 Junction 7.
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SatNav or Google Maps - we recommend searching for 'Dorney Lake'
Please do not park on local roads, including Marsh Lane, Court Lane and Boveney Road.
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Entry to and exit from the Dorney Lake site must only be made via Lake End Road (B3026) only.
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Once on-site, drivers must follow the instructions of Marshals who will direct traffic to the appropriate parking facilities.
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All drivers must observe the posted speed limits and ensure that extreme care is taken in pedestrian areas.
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Cars, motorcycles etc MUST NOT drive along on either side of the course following crews or races.
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Anyone arriving by bicycle will be required to lock it up near the entrance gate. There is no general cycling on the site.
School and Club Marquee Booking & Marquee Locations
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Marquee Locations are published here.
Vehicle access for School and Club Marquees
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Two Car Parking Passes will be issued to the named person who made the School and Club Marquee booking. There will only be parking for 2 designated vehicles behind each Marquee.
Security
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The Regatta Organising Committee can take no responsibility for equipment left overnight. All equipment must be removed from the site at the end of racing on Sunday night.
The Draw
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The Draw will be available online on 19th May
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Please see the regatta page for more information.
Watching the Regatta
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Please note, Time Trials which happen each morning are held over different distances.
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Please look at the Circulation Pattern as this will give you the best indication as to where to spectate.
For all Side-By-Side Finals and Semi-Finals, racing will be over the allocated distances:
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Friday races: 1000m: Friday’s races will begin at the 1000m marker and race to the 2000m finish line.
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Saturday and Sunday 2000m.
Important Spectator Information
Watch Live:
National Schools’ Regatta is delighted to provide junior rowing fans a Live Stream service. For the 2023 regatta, National Schools’ Regatta is teaming up with GiggaBox, a leading sports event and content production company. Giggabox will provide its innovative SportCAST technology to the National Schools’ Regatta for the first time – taking the event to a whole new level. The Live Stream will cover all racing for the full 3 days, so there will be no reason to miss the qualification events or the side by side racing.
Spectators and junior rowing fans will be able to watch the action and listen to the expert Commentary Team, led by Robert Treharne-Jone. The Commentary Team are first class and will be able to provide an informed and entertaining descriptive of all the events.
REGISTER HERE FOR THE LIVE STREAM
Important Notes for Spectators:
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There is No pedestrian access to the boating area OR to the island between the main lake and warm-up lake.
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Spectators are NOT PERMITTED to cycle on the site (coaches will have permits for the south, island, side).
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Drones are NOT PERMITTED at any time during the Regatta.
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Only Dorney Lake services are permitted to sell food on the site, this is a contractual agreement between the NSR and Dorney Lake (Ensures full compliance food hygene legistlation).
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Open Fires are NOT PERMITTED. You may however use a gas barbeque subject to your own risk assessment.
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Please ensure you separate any rubbish from material for recycling and place it only in the bins provided. Please consider taking litter home.
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Dogs must be kept on a lead, and under control, at all times.
Safeguarding and Child Protection
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The Regatta has appointed a Child Welfare Officer whose duties include understanding and implementing, where appropriate, the British Rowing Safeguarding and Protecting Children Policy.
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The CWO may be contacted in advance or during the regatta via nsr.welfareandsafety@gmail.com . On the day radio / phone contact details are available via Race Control, any Race Official or member of the onsite team.
Is National Schools' Regatta a sustainable event?
#PushingForACleanSweep
At NSR, we pledge to make the 2023 Regatta the most sustainable weekend yet!
To do this, we need every supporter to help us. Once again, we are calling on everyone; Coaches, competitors, parents, and NSR volunteers to help us reduce waste as together we are #PushingforaCleanSweep at this year's National Schools' Regatta. #Reduce #Reuse #Recycle
What food and drink vendors are on site?
There will be delicious food and refreshments available from a number of vendors on site. From artisan coffee, to delicious hot food, we know you will find something to tempt you!
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Mr Brightside Coffee Van
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Tony's Ice Cream Van
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BBQ Dept
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Coffee ETC
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The Grill (Dorney Lake concession)
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The Pasta Shack (Dorney Lake concession)
What can I bring?
Bring everything you need to enjoy a day by Dorney Lake.
You can bring foldable chairs to the venue, there will be limited access to seating on the site, so come prepared with camping chairs, picnic rugs etc.
Please Do Bring:
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Bring reusable water bottles filled with water. There will be static tanks to top up your drinking water but bring some water with you.
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Bring big filled water containers for cooking.
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Embrace Tupperware! Only bring what you intend to eat and take the rest home! Everyday we throw away mountains of uneaten sandwiches and other pre-packaged food that has not even been opened.
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Take away your own waste and recycling, thereby saving NSR costs with tonnes of your waste removal.
How accessible is the site?
Dorney Lake is a beautiful location with tarmac walkways along the course making the venue wheelchair accessible. In addition there are accessible toilets on site.
There will be no specific space marked out for wheelchair viewing, however there is plenty of space along the racing course to watch all the action.
What other facilities are there?
There is limited seating available along the course and you will find toilets located around the regatta course too.
The regatta hosts a thriving shopping experience within our 'Regatta Village' where you will be able to find the perfect gift for the rower in your life. We welcome small businesses from across the UK, all with specialist high quality goods.
Don't forget to visit the National Schools' Regatta Shop - where all official merchandise is available.
Is the regatta dog friendly?
Dorney Lake and National Schools' Regatta welcomes all dogs as long owners pick up poop and keep their much loved pet on a lead.
Is filming and photography allowed?
We encourage all spectators to take photos and film we just ask that you tag the event in any social posts using the Hashtag #NatSchools2023
The use of Drones is strictly PROHIBITED
