The 181st Port of Dartmouth Royal Regatta continued on Monday 24 August, following a weekend of music, picnics and our Community & Environmental Day, the start of a further six-day celebration that brought rowers, sea cadets, sailors and thousands of visitors to the banks of the Dart.

Tuesday's introduction to Regatta saw a flypast by the Wildcat HMA2 helicopter from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, sweeping low over the town as our traders and town businesses prepared for the Regatta's visitors.

Opening Day, Wednesday 26 August, saw HMS Brocklesby escorted into Dart Harbour from Start Bay under a Regatta Committee gun salute from Dartmouth Castle, while Dragon Boat Racing and a children's treasure hunt got the daytime programme underway. The Opening Ceremony reception at the Guildhall was followed by the evening's Parade and formal Opening Ceremony, which this year included four Armed Forces Covenants being signed. The Sea Cadets' Beating Retreat and Sunset Ceremony at the Boatfloat followed, before live music from James Harris Sax and DJ Billy Baker rounded off the evening in Royal Avenue Gardens.

The week continued with WEARA, Seine and Dragon Boat gig rowing, a Regatta Shopping Parade, Guardship tours, a second Wildcat flypast, line dancing, the Regatta Film Festival, tennis, the Spot the Oddity competition, a Fairy Tale -themed children's fancy dress parade, bike displays and more live music.

Friday turned to the town's own rowing traditions, with local rowing including whaler races contested by crews from pubs across town. The day also featured a plastic-free Junior Crabbing Competition followed by an evening Adult Crabbing Competition on the South Embankment, the Waiters & Waitresses Race, Barrel rolling, and the keenly contested International Trolley Grand Prix with its accompanying water fight, plus more live music.

Saturday's closing day began a little grey and windy; even so, Bungee Rowing and the comic Kon-tiki Raft Race, its entrants dressed as crabs, cowboys, pirates and Greek goddesses, went ahead as planned. Sadly the traditional Regatta River Parade was shortened into a sail-past by HMS Blazer and HMS Express due to conditions. The afternoon Regatta Road race went ahead alongside an RNLI lifeboat search-and-rescue demonstration, and the evening brought the Spot the Oddity and Best Dressed Vessel awards, the Grand Draw, the Local Rowing and Championship of the Dart trophies, a spectacular fireworks display over the river, closing words from Regatta Chair Ed Botterill, and the irreplaceable local band, Riviera Dogs closing the 8 day Royal Regatta in fine style.

Clean-up operations continued into Sunday with the town back to normal by early afternoon, along with the gathering of results, bringing Dartmouth Royal Regatta 2026 to a close.

For a full list of results from all of the Regatta events visit the Dartmouth Regatta website.