A regatta is a boat race or series of boat races. This can include both powered and unpowered craft. The term is also used to describe the festivities that occur during the lead up to the races, often a large social event for the town the regatta takes place in.
Typically regattas are amateur competitions. They may be organized as championships for a particular area or type of boat, but are most often held for the joy of competition and camaraderie alone. Professional sailing and powerboat competitions are typically not referred to as regattas.
One of the largest and most popular is the Henley Royal Regatta held on the River Thames, England. North America's oldest regatta is the Royal St. John's Regatta held on Quidi Vidi Lake in St. John's, Newfoundland every year since 1826.
In the US, some famous examples include:
- Head of the Charles Regatta, on the Charles River between Boston and Cambridge, Massachusetts.
- Key West Race Week , Key West, Florida
- Block Island Race Week , New York
- Youngstown Levels , Youngstown, New York
- Bay Week , Put-in-Bay, Ohio
- National Off-Shore One Design (NOOD), a series of regattas held around North America
