Major Boat Racing Competitions Around the World

Not only can boats be a typical hobby for most people but it can also be a very fun and exciting sport for some. If you own a boat, then definitely you have already heard of boat racing and perhaps have given it a thought to join one. Basically, there are different types of boat racing such as canoe racing, drag boat racing, kayak racing, snake boat racing and yacht racing. Aside from these, there are also a lot of competitions which happen around the world. There are three major boat racing competitions that have already captured the interest of many.

The Boat Race

The first boat racing competition, which is called The Boat Race, is a rowing race between the boat clubs of Oxford University and Cambridge University in England. The Boat Race is also commonly known as the Xchanging Boat Race, University Boat Race and Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. Basically, it generally occurs during the last Saturday of March or at times the first Saturday of April at Thames, London.

Not only is the event a popular gathering for the students and alumni of both universities, but also to the general public. Thousands of people gather around the river banks and many stay tuned in their televisions to watch such a momentous event.

Harvard-Yale Regatta

The second boat racing competition is the Harvard-Yale Boat Race or at times known as the Harvard-Yale Regatta, which takes place annually between the universities of Harvard and Yale. The Regatta was first introduced in the year 1852 and is known to be the oldest collegiate athletic competition in the United States. Typically, this race has taken place on Lake Winnipesaukee, New Hampshire before it has been moved to Thames, New London, Connecticut. Other places which the race has been held were the Connecticut River and Lake Quinsigamond at Massachusetts.

Vallam Kali

The third boat racing competition is the Vallam Kali which literally translates to boat race in Malayalam. Basically, this boat race makes use of the traditional war canoe which can be found in Kerala, India. Typically, it takes place during the harvest season and festival of Onam in autumn and includes different kind of boat races. The Chundan Vallam or snake boat racing is the most popular event in the Vallam Kali. The snake boat race, which attracts a lot of tourists each year, is considered to be a sport wherein a single team consists of the highest number of members. Typically, a snake boat is operated by four helmsmen, 25 singers and around 100 to 125 oarsmen who all row in unison with their boat song.

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