Local rowers will take to the Brentford waters tomorrow for the 2021 Autumn Junior Regatta.

The Junior Regatta will take place this Saturday at Ferry Wharf, Brentford - home to Team Keane Watersports.

Run by Brentford based charity Team Keane, recently rebranded as the Hounslow Community Rowing Trust, which was set up by Paul and Miranda Keane.

Participants will include local schools with rowing programmes at Team Keane, as well as scores of rowers on the Team Keane racing squad.

The trust is focused on supporting rowing for local state schools and is funded through events such as this regatta, as well as grants, donations and sponsorship.

They are now getting well over 100 local young people - and a few older people - out rowing and training on the river. 

Ken Creighton, Team Keane chair, who started rowing in Seattle when he was 13, told Nub News about the event and the benefits of getting out on the water.

"I can't exaggerate the point about being on the water, especially coming out of the pandemic, it changes everything," Ken, 50, said.

"It's really a home away from home and getting onto the water is a total different environment. You could capsize, so you have to focus and that isn't true for anything else.

"You have to work with other people, and you see these kids get off the water and they are just full of life and it's wonderful."

His eldest son went to the Keane club at the age of 13 and, like his father, immediately fell in love with it.

Ken added: "Rowing absolutely changed my life and gave me opportunities and friendships and a great sport for life."

The trust focuses on giving more young people in Hounslow the chance to get involved in the sport, typically only accessible to students at private schools.

Brentford offered a prime location for the Trust as a river-side location and with a history on the water.

Junior Athletes from local schools in Brentford have been training hard all term to come together and compete tomorrow.

Regatta schedule

The community are welcomed to join on the day, which will start with a school Erg competition - a land-based relay race on rowing machines. 

The Parent races are literally that, parents of juniors who have been offered basic lessons over the past few weekends but with limited rowing experience, who will be racing in sturdy tub boats.

The Adults are a mix of advanced and developing racers.

The school racing and awards will be the heart of the event and the Mayor of Hounslow will be attending from approximately 1 - 3pm for the awards ceremony.

Times:

9:30 - Registration 

10:30 - BBQ opens

11:15 - Parent & Adult Races

13:45 - School Awards

14:45 - Awards