Monthly Archives: December 2017

Jess Eddie becomes President of Parliamentary Group

Former Durham ARC Junior Jess Eddie took up office on November 9th 2017 as the inaugural Honorary President of the All-Party Parliamentary Rowing Group, initially for a one-year term. The Group consists of MPs and Lords of all political persuasions and meets regularly to discuss issues of importance to the sport and to hear from those involved. The appointment was announced by Group Co-Chair and MP for Hendon Dr Matthew Offord. Roberta Blackman-Woods MP for Durham is also a member. Jess attended her first meeting with the group at Westminster on December 6th.  

Jess was coached in Durham as a junior by Gordon Beattie and represented Great Britain in the World Junior Championships in 2001 while training with the club before going on to win a silver medal with the GB Women’s Eight at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Chairman’s MBE Investiture

On November 21st Durham ARC Chairman Barry Hudson was presented with the MBE by the Duke of Cambridge in an investiture at Buckingham Palace.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Barry was awarded the MBE for services to the Community and to Rowing in the Queen’s Birthday Honours in June, having served on the DARC Committee for 50 years, taking on numerous roles including Secretary and Chairman, as well as carrying out coaching and umpiring duties.

Barry Hudson MBE Investiture Nov 2017

Three River Serpents seeking new members

Dragon Boat Racing is Britain’s fastest growing water sport.  Three River Serpents, based at Durham ARC is the most northerly premier crew in the British Dragonboat Racing Association League and is looking to recruit new members, both male and female.

Club members meet for training at Durham Amateur Rowing Club on Sundays at 10am (all year round), or Wednesdays at 6.30pm (April to October). To take advantage of the offer of three free taster sessions send your details to Jane Kemp on 07932628007 or email JaneKemp@Gateshead.Gov.Uk

See the club poster and taster session leaflet for further details.

If you are interested and would like further information about the club please visit the website at http://www.threeriverserpents.co.uk/ or email Kendal Mayes at kenimayes@hotmail.com

3rs-at-worcester

British Rowing Indoor Championships 2017

Durham ARCs Roger Stainforth returned with a gold medal from the British Rowing Indoor Championships after winning the Masters 70-74 Men’s 2000 metres race at the Lea Valley VeloPark on Saturday December 9th, his fourth victory in that age group since the Championships moved to the London Olympic Velodrome in February 2015.

Although 10 seconds shy of the British record of 7.08.7 which he set at the 2015 Championships and still holds, Roger’s winning time of 7min 18.7sec was his fastest of the season so far, building on his successes in the North East Indoor Championships (7.21.5) and Welsh Indoor Championships (7.23.7) during November.

After a brief sortie into rowing on water last year, when he teamed up with Martyn Calkin to win the Masters F double sculls at the British Rowing Masters Regatta at Holme Pierrepont, Roger is again concentrating on the indoor discipline at which he specialises. Through his achievements at indoor rowing he is an inspiration to many, with a further success coming in September this year as a member of the team who set a World Record for the 100km relay for rowers aged over 70.   

With British Rowing promoting greater participation in indoor rowing the sell-out Championships at the Velodrome on Saturday was the biggest yet, with 2100 competitors taking part in 72 different races over the day, using 80 Concept2 ergometers, and GB athletes competing alongside rowing club and gym members from around the country.

The focus of media attention was a first appearance by 5-times Olympic Cycling gold medallist Sir Bradley Wiggins, taking part in the Men’s Open 2km race with a view to winning a place with the GB Rowing squad in time for the Tokyo Olympics, but after a slight hesitation at the start his time of 6.22.5 fell short of expectations and leaves him with work to do if he is to achieve his ambition.

Results from all races