Nine days of events on and off the water begin this weekend (Sunday, August 23) as Shaldon Regatta gets underway.

This year is the 209th anniversary of the regatta, which started in 1817 as a one-day event and gradually expanded over the years as more races, competitions and games were added.

Throughout much of the regatta’s history, participants had to either own a boat or borrow one from a friend or relative. In the early 1970s the committee recognised that this went against the ‘open to all’ ethos of the regatta, so the Shaldon ‘regatta dinghies’ were built and made available, first come first served, to anyone who wanted to take part.

The 2026 regatta begins with a long-distance row from Dawlish to Shaldon on Sunday afternoon, starting at 2.30pm.

A series of boat races and other water-based competitions continues throughout the week, along with beach games such as rounders, volleyball and netball, and a sandcastle competition. There’s also a treasure hunt by boat.

One very popular event – which dates back to the early days of the regatta – is the Gig and Punt Chase, taking place on Saturday 29. This harks back to the days when there was money to be made from piloting ships into port; the Shaldon punt and the Teignmouth gig would compete to reach the waiting ships first. Being smaller and more manoeuvrable, the Shaldon punt would usually win the race and the job.

With the regatta now lasting nine days and encompassing the August bank holiday weekend, it’s now become a regular holiday fixture for people who come and stay for all or part of the duration, meeting up with friends they’ve made in Shaldon for an annual reunion and celebration.