Durham Rowers Riding on the Crest of a Wave

Durham Amateur Rowing Club is riding on the crest of a wave with a total of 65 regatta wins so far this year.  Veterans, seniors and juniors, men and women, have all played a part in the club’s success.  Whilst club members achieved 19 wins at last weekend’s Durham Regatta, Derek Gordon, Paul Stanley, Kim Metcalfe, John Appleby and cox Emma Watcham took gold at the National Veteran Championships in Nottingham. 

Durham Amateur Rowing Club is riding on the crest of a wave with a total of 65 regatta wins so far this year.  Veterans, seniors and juniors, men and women, have all played a part in the club’s success.  Whilst club members achieved 19 wins at last weekend’s Durham Regatta, Derek Gordon, Paul Stanley, Kim Metcalfe, John Appleby and cox Emma Watcham took gold at the National Veteran Championships in Nottingham.

The Senior Women’s Squad has been out in force at recent local regattas.  The squad has grown in strength in the past year and has been successful in a range of events.  Women’s Senior 2, 3 and Veteran 8+ crews stormed to victory at Durham City and Tees, whilst scullers Tracy Henderson, Natalie Burgess, Meghan McCarthy and Lucy Glendinning triumphed at Durham Regatta.  15 club wins at Hexham Regatta resulted in Durham ARC taking the Victor Ludorum the trophy for the most successful club overall.

The junior section of the club (aged 14 – 18) has also had multiple successes.  Ben Gourlay, Tom Hinchcliffe, Jonathan Cook and James Dickinson (coxed by Danielle Corker) did the double at Durham City Regatta, winning Novice 4+ on Saturday and Senior 4 4+ on Sunday.  This was a fantastic achievement, in their first major regatta.

Helen Preston, aged 17, has been invited to the Final Trials for Junior GB selection.  Her brother, John Preston a member of Durham ARC and Reading University, will represent GB in the Lightweight Men’s Pair at the forthcoming U23 World Championships in Germany.