The London Regatta Centre (now formally known as Royal Docks Watersports Centre) is a

rowing Rowing is the act of propelling a human-powered watercraft using the sweeping motions of oars to displace water and generate reactional propulsion. Rowing is functionally similar to paddling, but rowing requires oars to be mechanically atta ...

and

dragon boat racing A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft originating from the Pearl River Delta region of China's southern Guangdong Province. These were made of teak, but in other parts of China, different kinds of wood are used. It is one of a family of t ...

centre located in the Docklands area in the

East End The East End of London, often referred to within the London area simply as the East End, is the historic core of wider East London, east of the Roman and medieval walls of the City of London and north of the River Thames. It does not have uni ...

London London is the capital and largest city of England and the United Kingdom, with a population of just under 9 million. It stands on the River Thames in south-east England at the head of a estuary down to the North Sea, and has been a majo ...

. It is built at the west end on the northern quayside of the historic Royal Albert Dock directly opposite

London City Airport London City Airport is a regional airport in London, England. It is located in the Royal Docks in the Borough of Newham, approximately east of the City of London and east of Canary Wharf. These are the twin centres of London's financial ...

. The site is owned by the Royal Albert Dock Trust, and is home to the Queen Mary, University of London Boat Club, London Youth Rowing, Curlew Rowing Club,

London Otters Rowing Club London Otters Rowing Club is an LGBT-friendly rowing club based at the London Regatta Centre in the Docklands area of London, U.K. on the River Thames. Structure Rowing at the London Otters is structured within three squads: the Senior Squad ...

, University of East London Boat Club,

Raging Dragons The Raging Dragons are a dragon boat club based in London, UK. The club trains on the Royal Albert Dock at the London Regatta Centre. The club competes in the Premier and Standard League of the BDA, with Open, Mixed, and Ladies crews. The team ...

Dragon Boat A dragon boat is a human-powered watercraft originating from the Pearl River Delta region of China's southern Guangdong Province. These were made of teak, but in other parts of China, different kinds of wood are used. It is one of a family of t ...

Club, Thames Dragons, Wave Walkers, Windy Pandas DBC and Typhoon DBC amongst others. The

Regatta Boat racing is a sport in which boats, or other types of watercraft, race on water. Boat racing powered by oars is recorded as having occurred in ancient Egypt, and it is likely that people have engaged in races involving boats and other wate ...

Centre was opened formally in March 2000 by

the Princess Royal Princess Royal is a style customarily (but not automatically) awarded by a British monarch to their eldest daughter. Although purely honorary, it is the highest honour that may be given to a female member of the royal family. There have been sev ...

. The building was designed by

Ian Ritchie Architects Ian Ritchie Architects Ltd is a British architectural and design practice, based in London led by its founder Ian Ritchie. The practice changed its name to 'Ritchie Studio' on 24 June 2021. Recently completed projects include the RIBA Aw ...

. The 200-year lease on the land for the centre was to the Royal Albert Dock Trust, by the

London Docklands Development Corporation The London Docklands Development Corporation (LDDC) was a quango agency set up by the UK Government in 1981 to regenerate the depressed Docklands area of east London. During its seventeen-year existence it was responsible for regenerating an a ...

. The centre has a 2,000 metre course, with seven lanes plus a return lane. The existing 1,750-metre length of the dock was extended to 2,000 by the removal and replacement of the Woolwich Manor Way Bridge at the east of the dock. The new bridge was built further east and is now officially known as the Sir Steve Redgrave Bridge. Amongst the centre's other facilities are a

rowing tank A rowing tank is an indoor facility which attempts to mimic the conditions rowers face on open water. Rowers sit in fixed rowing positions, with a channel of water to either side of the 'boat'. Older tanks used the power of the athlete to circu ...

and a

boathouse A boathouse (or a boat house) is a building especially designed for the storage of boats, normally smaller craft for sports or leisure use. describing the facilities These are typically located on open water, such as on a river. Often the boats ...

The centre is near Royal Albert Docklands Light Railway station.

References

External links

Official website
Rowing venues in the United Kingdom Sports venues in London Water sports in London {{London-sports-venue-stub

See also

References

External links