THE inaugural Southampton varsity boat race takes place on the River Itchen next month.

It will be staged on a 3.5-mile course from the Itchen Bridge to Riverside Park on May 11.

There will be two races between Southampton University and Southampton Institute, one for women and one for men, and both will be rowing in eights.

Rowing's inter-regional championships will be taking place at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham on April 21 and the Wessex region, covering Hampshire, Dorset and the Isle of Wight are sending their strongest team for a number of years.

Two crews and a single sculler have been selected from Southampton to represent the region.

A lightweight men's coxless four from Southampton University consisting of bow Keiron Westly, James Baker at two, Alistair Leighton Crawford at three and stroke Mike Sanders will be in action.

There will also be a women's coxed four from Southampton ARC and Itchen Imperial RC containing two of Southampton senior women's team of the year and coached by Terry Wilson, Southampton male coach of the year.

The Southampton team will consist of bow Sue Foad, Christine Potter at two, Lisa McGregor Ritchie at three, stroke Katie Green and cox Richard Newman. The single sculler is Andrew Toumazi from Southampton University.

Other crews selected are from Ryde Rowing Club and Christchurch Rowing Club.