Dittons Skiff and Punting Club

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Dittons Skiff and Punting Club (DSPC) or Dittons is an English skiff and punting club, which was founded in 1923. It is based on the River Thames on the Surrey bank at Thames Ditton, on the reach above Teddington Lock.

The club supports two traditional water sports - skiffing and punting. Skiffs are traditional, stable wooden boats which are sculled with a pair of blades. Punts are 2ft and 1ft racing punts.The club colours are blue and gold.

The club was founded in 1923 and initially operated from premises at Queens Road, Thames Ditton. In the early 1960’s the club occupied Albany Cottage in Alexandra Road with a boatshed nearby. In 1996 the area was redeveloped and the dilapidated buildings were replaced by a new purpose built clubhouse and boatshed.

Skiffs are raced at regattas run under the rules of the Skiff Racing Association, and are used for leisure outings such as Thames meanders. Punting is carried out competitively at regattas under the rules of the Thames Punting Club. Several international and Olympic rowers have competed for the club including James Cracknell, Mike Hart, Sarah Winckless and Sally Andraea. The club provides support and coaching for all levels from beginner to advanced and has an active Junior section using rowing dinghies, skiffs and punts. DSPC organises a club regatta in September, and also hosts Hampton Court and Dittons Regatta, the Tiny and Nancy Knight long distance events and the Dittons Long Distance Singles event. Each Saturday outside the regatta season, the club organizes a handicapped Bridge-to-Bridge skiff race.

Club members have undertaken several rowing challenges to enter the Guiness World Records books. These have included fastest single and crew times on Thames meanders, and records for 24 hour rowing, Crossing the Channel and rowing from London to Paris. The club represents Elmbridge in the Great River Race.