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Broadcasters used this semi-transparent display showing the names of what the regatta likes to call “partners” (aka sponsors) as a background to interviews and pieces to camera.
14 July 2023
By Tim Koch
Tim Koch begins to chronicle a long six days.
This piece on Henley’s opening day, 27 June, is certainly late on parade but, as I have previously explained, I am experimenting with not attempting a daily post during the regatta as this forces me to cut my day short and also to produce some hurried work. As HTBS is not a “results service” (except to link to those who are), I hope that this will work for the best for HTBS Types and not cause disappointment/ despair/rioting in the streets. My photographic efforts are simply to attempt to give and recall a flavour of this very special event while those particularly interested in any or all aspects of the racing can attend in person, watch the livestream or read and view any number of immediate official and unofficial online postings.
An opening ode on (sic) Royal Henley Regatta from a society magazine of 1950. Of its time, the final lines assume a knowledge of the Greek myth of Hero and Leander. Leander swam the Hellespont strait every night to be with his love, the priestess Hero. I have always thought that the Phyllis Court Rowing Club missed out by not calling itself the Hero Rowing Club, sited as it is across the water from Leander.A Wyfold (Club M4-) heat between Star Club (left) and Durham ARC (right) umpired by Fiona Dennis. Star won by 1 1/3 lengths.Good enough for Instagram? Three stylish attendees check their selfies.A British announcer’s nightmare. In a heat of the Prince of Wales (Intermediate M4x), Utrechtsche Studenten Roeivereeniging Triton and Cadetten Roei- en Zeilvereniging Dudok van Heel, Netherlands (left), beat Koninklijke Studenten Roeivereeniging Njord, Netherlands (right), by 2 1/4 lengths.Tyne ARC’s Thames Cup crew in a huddle.The University of Virginia, USA, leading Oxford Brookes “C” in a heat of the Temple (Student M8+). The Americans won by 2/3 length.Some elegant spectators study their programmes between races.Latymer Upper School soon after its defeat by Deerfield Academy, USA, in the Princess Elizabeth (Junior M8+).Waiting for Syracuse University’s race in the Temple (Student M8+) against the University of London. Orange beat Purple by 1/3 length.Hereford a few lengths behind London in a heat of the Wyfold (Club M4-).Members of the Dutch student club, Nereus, wear blazers that they have inherited from former members of their club and which they, in turn, will pass on. Each owner stitches his name inside the jacket, but repairs are forbidden until damage renders the garment unwearable. However, there appears to be no excuse that allows for cleaning them.Buckingham Rowing Club, Australia, in their heat of the Diamond Jubilee (Junior W4x). Sadly, they had a long journey for just one race, they lost to Sir William Perkin’s School.Going to blazers.London RC winning its heat of the Britannia (Club M4+) by 1 1/2 lengths.This year was the second time the regatta had run over 6 days and the new opening day of Tuesday is proving to be busy.Vesta’s Wyfold “B” Crew passes a disinterested local resident. They lost to Thames “B” by 4 lengths.Thames leading its Tuesday heat of the Prince of Wales (Intermediate M4x). They beat City of Cambridge and Cambridge 99 by 1 1/2 lengths.In the Princess Elizabeth (Junior M8+), Dulwich College (pictured) lost to Marin Rowing Association, USA, by 3 3/4 lengths.Brisbane Boys’ College, Australia, have some final words before their heat of the Princess Elizabeth (Junior M8+). They beat Monmouth School by 4 lengths.Sir William Borlase’ Grammar School “A” winning their heat of the Diamond Jubilee (Junior W4x) against Molesey by 1/2 length.A Bucks – Berks ferry supervisor finds that his job is not too demanding. Lea paddle to the finish in the Fawley (Junior M4x) after opponents Trentham were disqualified for their steering.Aquil Abdullah, the first African-American male rower to qualify for the Summer Olympics (2004) and the first African-American to win the Diamond Sculls (2000) and also the first to become a Henley Steward (2022). Feeling the strain. Cork losing its heat of the Britannia (Club M4+) to London by 1 1/2 lengths.Two keen spectators keep a critical eye on proceedings.A Banksy-esq piece of graffito on a Leander wall.
The official summary of Tuesday’s highlights are on the HRR website as are the full results.
I was unable to attend Henley’s second day, Wednesday, so tomorrow’s post will give a view of Thursday’s events at what Sir John Betjeman called “the flowering heart of England’s willow-cooled July”.
Hear The Boat Sing 
Thank you, Tim, for a wonderful collection of images that encapsulate HRR. I could not go this year so have really enjoyed your pieces.