NEARLY 400 rowing boats from 32 clubs will be maing a splash on the River Wye this weekend, as the two-day Monmouth Regatta returns for the first time in three years.

Saturday’s 1500m event has attracted 184 crews and scullers, while Sunday’s 700m sprint has 211 entries.

The Blue Riband 8s on Saturday have both atracted five entries, with Swansea and Bath universities up against Llandaff and Dart Totnes racing for the Phil Mathew Claret Jug for the men’s event, and Bath, City of Oxford, City of Bristol and Bristol Ariel tussling for the Alec Woods Ladies Plate in the women’s event.

Saturday’s racing sees 137 races from 9.30am to 4.45pm, while Sunday has 160 races from 9am to 4.40pm.

Other clubs heading to the Wye include regular Thames visitors Staines and Abingdon, plus Minerva Bath, Tewkesbury’s AB Severn, Exeter, Evesham and Warwick, while GB junior talent centre Hartpury will also be launching out.

While some of the local juniors are racing at the National Schools’ on the London Olympic lake over the weekend, Monmouth Comprehensive boats will be out in force alongside lots of younger talent from Monmouth School for Boys and Monmouth School for Girls.

This year’s event also includes two new trophies - the John Hartland Memorial Trophy in honour of the club’s late chairman and regatta secretary, and the John Jenkins Challenge Cup named after the club’s junior coach and regatta commentator.

Entry is free and there will be a fully stocked bar, catering, ice creams and stalls riverside.

For more details and the draw, see www.monmouthrc.org.uk