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Thames Promenade | Caversham Bridge | Caversham | Reading | Saturday 14 till Sunday 15 June 2008

Start packing your hampers and picnic blankets because we're heading down to the river banks at Caversham this weekend.

We'll be joining hundreds of others and cheeringÌýon some of the best rowers in the country.

"Is it that time already?" we hear you cry. It most certainly is, the Reading Amateur Regatta is here again.

The season of sports which some refer to as The Berkshire Olympics starts this weekend.

With Ascot just days away, The Boodles Tennis Tournament hot on its heels and The Henley Regatta racing up the lanes, we are a truly blessed county when it comes to summer sporting events.

What's more, there's enough top quality activities pumping out of the sporting calendar to douse the most ferocious of rages, set alight by the lack of UKÌýpresence at the Euros.

There'll be over 430 crews competing. Saturday's races are being held over a 1500 metre course and Sunday's over 1110 metres.

Both will offer fantastic one-on-one Thames race experience, essential for rowers competing in Henley.

The two lane course will be rowed downstream, with bank umpiring. The finishing line is strategically placed just a few yards from ReadingÌýRowing Club.

Reading Amateur Regatta began in 1842 as a response to its sister regatta inÌýHenley. It's a smaller affair but an institution in its own right, attractingÌýentrants as far a field as Australia.

This is echoed by Reading's Rowing Club Publicity Officer, Will Jordan

"Reading's a more intimate event aimed at a wider range of crews and club, beyondÌý just the elite athletes that race at the Royal Regatta.

"We have a lot more categories, including races for juniors and of course womenÌýand men race at the same event".

Competition will be fierce and the trophies will be strongly fought over.

Keen rower, Sue Radley is Reading Rowing club's Corporate Events Organiser. She's proud to be involved in this regatta and says,

"We'll be supporting the event with a healthy entry of crews and be providing the personnel to run the regatta.

"This makes for a very busy weekendÌýfor all club members, from Juniors right through to Veterans".

During the lunch period, junior rowers will get their chance to shine in a range of special races, making it a truly family day out.

Reading Rowing Club are always looking for new members and you don't have to be a Matthew Pinsent or Steve Redgrave to join.

Whatever your age or background they'll be an opening for you.

If you'd like to find out more visit the website below: