Splashing about on river

A BOAT capsized at the Henley Regatta for the Disabled on Saturday.

The bell boat, which is two canoes linked together to provide extra stability, sank during one of the races.

On board were 10 young adults who attend the Chiltern Centre in Greys Road, Henley.

Conditions during the race were overcast, with gusty winds providing rougher than usual river conditions.

The boat was racing on the stretch of river alongside the Paddock at Phyllis Court and, as it reached the finish line, it began to take on water and sink.

Commentary on the race stopped and the hundreds of spectators fell silent as carers made their way to the water to assist the boaters who were floating in the water with lifejackets on.

Koby Morey, 24, who was visiting from Connecticut to help his dad, Russ, who is a team leader at the Chiltern Centre, was on board the boat.

He said: “It was definitely a shock. We started taking on water and I noticed it getting to about two inches high and then past my shoes. I got up and said ‘We’re taking on water’ and then the whole thing just started going.

“There was a boat that went by and there was a little bit more wake than usual, so once the water started to come in, our side got heavier and it started to dip down even more and the more water that came in, the further down it went.”

Lucy Bowley, 57, who chairs the regatta, praised the efforts of those involved in the rescue.

She said: “The response from everybody, from the Regatta for the Disabled team, the Eyot Centre and the amazing support from the Chiltern Centre staff to their clients on the water was phenomenal.

“These boats are really stable, and we’ve never had an incident like this. We will investigate what happened from our side of things, but our priorities were to make sure that those who were in the water and those who were visibly shocked by what happened were okay. Phyllis Court was amazing and supplied towels and we also supplied hot drinks.”

The Chiltern Centre team was awarded the Carolyn Molyneux Challenge Cup for their resilience, bravery and stamina.

The cup, which was introduced in 2022 to honour the late regatta committee member, was presented by deputy mayor Tom Buckley and the chairman of Phyllis Court, Barry Jackson.

For the final race, spectators ran down the bank during to watch Bowley Boaters defeat Mencap by 0.6 of a second.

More than 500 people attended the event, which also comprised different activities off the water.

Children sat down for a Punch and Judy show and circus entertainment provided by the Circus Scene, including bubbles and spinning plates.

Visitors could pet pigs, donkeys and sheep from Millers Ark mobile farm and tackle a climbing wall, which was wheelchair accessible.

A rowing machine competition took place, while others tried their hand in arts and crafts on the lawn.

Live music was performed by around 50 members of the Fabulous Ukulele Club.

Henley MP Freddie van Mierlo, who is a patron of the regatta, attended with his two Shiba Inu dogs and formally opened the event.

He said: “It’s fantastic. I really enjoyed walking around and seeing everything that’s happening on land and on water. I’ve loved talking to various different people, it’s a really really friendly atmosphere.

“The bell boating looks fantastic but I’m not sure it’s something I would be particularly good at because it looks quite tough. I’m very grateful for the invitation to open the event, it’s a real privilege.”

Free trips were also provided on Rivertime, a cruiser adapted for wheelchairs, giving people a better view of the racing.

Tom Parry, who raced with the Chiltern Centre, was supported by family members from London and New Zealand.

His auntie Mary Jones, 61, who works as a family violence preventor, said: “It’s been wonderful to see Tom paddling and we got lots of pictures. There’s lots of things going on with the music, and Tom’s niece who is one and a half loved the baby animals, too.”

Sophie Martin-Wynn, 25, who works at the Chiltern Centre, attended with her one-year-old daughter Ivy, her dog Kassie and her partner Will Turtle.

She said: “It’s such a lovely day for young people to come and enjoy the day out and watch a bit of rowing. Our centre has been training for this for a couple of months.

“Every other Monday, they get together in the evening to do some bell boat training. It’s really nice to have that to look forward to and today to come out with their families and enjoy the whole day.” Adam Simmons enjoyed the arts and crafts activities at the regatta for the first time with his son, George, seven.

He said: “It’s lovely, I wasn’t sure how George would get on, but he’s been really good. He enjoyed a sausage roll and an ice cream and it’s the longest he’s sat still so it’s all been really positive.”

Roy Leamon, 62, who works as a content producer and lives in Fair Mile, Henley, attended with his son, Luke, who attends Shiplake College, to support his wife who was playing in the ukulele band.

He said: “We’re from the States and it’s wonderful to see this kind of thing going on here, especially in a small town.

“It’s nice to come and get to see how many things are happening here in the community between the royal regatta and this. It’s good to see everybody out here supporting the efforts.

“It’s remarkable to see how many things go on in a relatively small town. The fact that it’s a beautiful location on the river right here and a lot of people coming out to be supportive has really struck us.”

Mr Jackson said Phyllis Court was proud to host the event.

He said: “We’ve supported this event for a long long time. One of our members, who sadly died, was one of the founders of the event.

“We’ve got 18 acres, so it’s a perfect place for the regatta to come and use our facilities and our launching pontoons so everyone involved has a great day.”