Founded in 1855, Marlow Regatta moved from the river Thames in Marlow in 2001 to the purpose built rowing lake constructed by Eton College at Dorney. 2007 was the first 2 day Marlow Regatta at Dorney, with over 11 hours of racing on the Saturday and racing on the Sunday for the first time. In 2011 Masters events were introduced on the Sunday. These look set to grow in popularity.The Sunday Regatta is raced in three waves, with events raced to a final in each. Thus allowing crews to double up by entering more than one wave.

Racing on the Saturday will be over 2000m with heats of up to 7 crews. Where space permits in the timetable there will be a repechage to determine the 7th place in the final.

The regatta usually takes place two weeks prior to Henley Royal Regatta, in mid to late June, and for some competitors this will be the last chance to pre-qualify for Henley Royal. In 2013, due to the staging of a World Cup Regatta at Dorney Lake, Marlow Regatta will take place one week earlier than usual.