Excitement is building for one of the biggest events in the Norfolk rowing calendar.

Eastern Daily Press: Action from last year's Yare Cup Picture: Yare Boat ClubAction from last year's Yare Cup Picture: Yare Boat Club (Image: Archant)

Hundreds of rowers from across the region are expected in Norwich for the Yare Cup - Small Boats Head of the River race on Sunday, September 22.

And the event, which is organised by Yare Boat Club in Thorpe St Andrew, should be even bigger this year after club chiefs opted to move it from its traditional Saturday slot to a Sunday to avoid clashes with other county events.

Thomas Foreman, chairman of the race organising committee, said: "The Yare Cup was my first ever rowing competition, so it's great to be chairing the committee this year. Attracting rowers and scullers of all abilities, including never rowed before, this friendly event is the highlight of many rowing calendars. The repeat support we get from competitors is a testament to our club's commitment to deliver an event like no other. With only a few weeks to go, we are expecting a record number of entries. I'm excited to see the boat trailers arriving and to get racing."

Rowers and scullers competing in the Yare Cup can choose to enter in a wide variety of boat categories, including singles, doubles, quads, pairs or fours. Racing will take place on a 3,700-metre stretch of the River Yare between Bramerton and Whitlingham, just outside Norwich.

Eastern Daily Press: Action from last year's Yare Cup event Picture: Bill HiskettAction from last year's Yare Cup event Picture: Bill Hiskett (Image: Archant)

Crews will race across two different divisions and there is also an opportunity for inexperienced rowers to get involved through a Never Raced Before event in the morning.

It will be the first time the event has been run on a Sunday. The organisers hope to see more students from the region's universities and pupils from local schools who had not been able to attend in previous years due to other commitments on Saturdays.

Dr Foreman added: "Since moving the event to Sunday, clubs and schools from across the region have contacted us about entries. Some clubs from the eastern region who have never rowed on the Broads are now planning to attend, which is great for us as well as local businesses.".

Entries are now open for the race - got to www.yareboat.club.