Stonehouse boat regatta returns after 150 years
by Alyssa Pearce | Amplify Stroud
September 2025
Our canal has been used for a plethora of different business and leisure activities since it was opened in 1779, including the Stonehouse Boat Regatta, originally held in 1887 by the landlord of the Ship Inn and included swimming and boat races, water polo and a duck hunt.
To mark almost 150 years since the last annual event and to celebrate the regeneration of the site into a community hub by the Ship Inn Community Enterprise (SpICE), which aims to benefit the community economically, socially and environmentally.
“It was great to be part of the newly relaunched Stonehouse Regatta - everyone had a fantastic time and it was lovely to see competitors of all ages battling it out on the water to claim victory in the three races.”
A wide array of teams took part in the competitions with people from all ages and abilities taking part. Many of the participants lived in the District however, one woman I spoke to came all the way from London to take part in the days activities with her family. Once participants stepped into their craft for the day a brief demonstration was given on how to move the canoes, and then they were off!
Starting with the sprint race, two teams went head-to-head in an all out race to the finish line, whilst a few boats crashed into the bushes mid-race everyone crossed the finish line earning them the all important points. With many narrow wins and one of the instructors, who was filling in for a missing team, doing the race backwards the crowds on the banks of the canal and the overlooking bridge only grew bigger.
After this the competitors moved on to the slalom course, six gates in a figure-of-eight to test the participants manoeuvrability, co-ordination and communication skills on the water, the winner was the team who completed the task in the shortest time.
Finally, a heated game of canoe polo where two teams joined forces to try and score more goals than the other. Despite going into the competition with the utmost confidence of staying dry, I still ended up becoming far too over-competitive, was the only paddler to capsize all day, and we still lost by one point!
This event has given people a new perspective on the opportunities that the canal can bring, opening up a whole new use for the area. In time this, and many of the other events around the canal including the annual canal festival could really help make our canals more accessible for everyone in Stroud and the wider community.
“The plan is to make this fun family occasion an annual community event and we are already working with Stroud Valley Canoe Club and Cotswold Canals Connected on the plan for next year.” - SpICE
Alyssa Pearce is the Deputy Editor for Amplify Stroud
Amplify Stroud is supported by Dialect rural writers collective. Dialect offers mentorship, encouragement and self-study courses as well as publishing.
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