Competitive Rowing
Racing in Durham
Durham provides a most picturesque setting for regattas and head races. Regattas take place on the racecourse over a 700 metre stretch of river which provides an excellent view of racing from start to finish. Head races are competed over a challenging 1800 metre course which tests a crew's stamina and watermanship. The Durham events regularly attract crews from all over England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland.
Next Event
Allcomers' Regatta - Saturday 28th June 2008
This is a fun regatta that runs every year in June, a couple of weeks after Durham Regatta. The "AllComers'" is aimed at people who have not rowed before but would like to have a go to see if they like it. Each crew is trained by a member of the club during 4 practice sessions and then compete in "racing fours" against other similar crews.
Durham Regatta (two days) - Saturday 14th & Sunday 15th June 2008
Often referred to as the 'Henley of the North', Durham Regatta is one of the premier events in the northern racing calendar. Racing takes place over 750 metres with the elite men's and women's fours events being competed over 1800 metres. This 1800 metre course requires that crews negotiate the historic Elvet Bridge at full race pace.
The regatta, founded in 1834, is run by a combination of local rowing clubs and townsfolk. Durham Amateur Rowing Club being a founding member of the regatta continues to take a very active role in the organisation and running of the regatta.
In addition to racing, the regatta regularly hosts demonstrations of other sports including Dragon Boating and parachuting. There are also a number of side attractions and a popular vintage car display. www.durham-regatta.org.uk
Durham Primary Regatta - Saturday 27th September 2008
Formarly Durham Veterans and Junior Regatta, Durham aims to promote rowing at all levels and holds the Primary Regatta towards the end of the regatta season to encourage participation in the sport by new and less experienced rowers. Included in the format of the regatta is special provision for a parent and child event where younger and older family members can compete in the same boat against other parent and child combinations.
Wear Long Distance Sculls - 4th October 2008
Wear Long Distance Sculls is part of the Northern Rowing Council Sculling Series. Clubs around the northern region each take turns to host one of the six events for single and double sculls. The Durham event is the shortest event of the series where crews sprint over the 1800 metre course taking in a number of sweeping bends and passing under the narrow Elvet Bridge.
Entries for this event are co-ordinated by the Northern Rowing Council and starting positions for a race are dictated by a scullers finish position in the previous race. The sculling series provides an excellent start to the winter training season and allows crews to measure their performance against those of similar ability. This series of races also helps to foster relationships between local clubs as scullers and crews meet on a weekly/fortnightly basis over a couple of months. http://www.nerowing.com/index.html
Durham Small Boats Head - 7th February 2009
This is one of the most popular head races in the north. It regularly attracts around 400 entries spread over 4 divisions making it an ideal event for clubs to try out various combinations of crews throughout the day.
Durham City Regatta (two days) - Saturday 9th & Sunday 10th May 2009
Sponsored by the Prince Bishop Ricer Cruiser - Durham City Durham City Regatta is the first of three popular regattas held in Durham. It is a two day regatta which regularly boats around 250 entries on Saturday and approaching 200 entries on Sunday. The fast and furious racing over 750 metres makes for exciting competition. Entries for this regatta range from school age through the senior categories up to both male and female veterans' categories.
All in all Durham provides an excellent place to race with fierce competition between both local clubs and others from around the country.
The ARA Regatta and Head Entry forms are available to download below.