The RMB Buffalo Regatta is a sporting event held on East London’s Buffalo River since 1881.
It is without a doubt the city’s oldest and most prestigious sporting event and as usual, it lived up to its expectations as almost 800 rowers took to the water over three days towards the end of last week.
With more than 1,000 people visiting the city for the event, East London benefits a great deal during the staging of the regatta.
Hotels, bed-and-breakfast establishments, restaurants, coffee shops and the like, all benefited.
The regatta caters for all: men, women and schoolchildren.
The Silver Sculls, the senior men’s singles race, and the Grand Challenge — the senior men’s coxless fours race, are the two most prestigious races at the regatta and this year, Tuks University rowers took the honours in both races.
Both races are linked to magnificent solid silver trophies, believed to be well over 100 years old and understood to be the most valuable trophies within SA sport.
During the year, the trophies are kept in a bank vault and are “released” once a year for the regatta.
There have been 136 regattas since 1881 — a few events were lost due to war years — and the manner in which the sponsors and East London community annually continue to welcome the rowers to our shores is a sure promise that ahead lies many more enjoyable Buffalo Regattas
