ORGANISERS are hoping Bewdley Regatta will deliver a wave of rowing action this weekend.

The event, which is hosted by Bewdley Rowing Club, is set to feature over 500 entries battling it out on Saturday and Sunday on the River Severn.

The highlight will be the sprint eights, which are sponsored by the Mug House Inn, which takes place from 1pm on Saturday.

The event starts at Bewdley Bridge and goes through the town and past the club to the finish.

Bewdley, defending champions Stourport and Worcester will be among a host of other crews hoping to come through the heats and semi-finals to make the final and vie for the £450 prize money.

Handicapped races, which will also allow boats in different categories, have also been introduced to the Regatta for the first time.

“The handicapped races are something we’re trying out this year,” said captain Kat Carlyle.

“It means crews in different age groups can compete, with the older boats already handicapped to make sure it is an even race.

“The sprint eights are going to be one of the highlights again, there are crews from Bewdley, Stourport and Worcester racing, so there is going to be plenty of local rivalry.”

Races take place every couple of minutes between 8am and 6pm on both days.

There is also a wide range of crews in action, from single sculler, double scullers, pairs, fours, quads or eights.

The competitor’s ages start at 12 and finish somewhere in the 60s or 70s, making Bewdley one of the biggest inland regattas in the country.