Two rounds of the 2022 Long Distance Sculling Series remain before the focus shifts to the final round at Durham which combines with Durham Autumn Small Boats Head on November 12th. Although the Tees and Tyne rounds attracted almost the full complement of 200 and 130 entries respectively numbers are down a little for South Hylton on Saturday, perhaps because of the afternoon start to coincide with the ebb tide at 14.30.
The autumn extravaganza of six races in as many weeks continues its broad appeal and allows competitors and clubs a choice of being selective or of entering every week. Proceeds from the Series help to fund the Northern Region’s entries for the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta.
The rounds so far have seen good performances from newcomers as well as from the more established competitors. The 5km Tees LDS included victories for the Senior Women’s 4x- and a second successive win for the Women’s Masters H 4x-, while Tees SBH brought success for the J17 boys 4x-, Women’s Masters C 4x- and Open 2x. Tyne LDS and Tyne United SBH were subject to some doubt because of a strong wind forecast but were able to go ahead over a shortened 3.8km course. Despite some strong entries from Durham and Newcastle University Boat Clubs Tyne LDS brought a first win as a DARC member for Jonny Cleugh in the J15 1x and another for Louisa Scott in the J16 girls 1x, followed by a win in TURC SBH for the Senior Men in band 2 of the coxless four, and a second win in as many weeks for Dave Beeby and Elliot Kay in the Open 2x – after boating all the other DARC crews from the Tyne United steps!
Results from Tees LDS, Tees SBH, Tyne LDS and TURC SBH.
Tees SBH 2022
A sterling effort by host clubs and volunteers has ensured that each event has been a huge success, and a great achievement for the region in offering racing on consecutive weekends at a time of year that can be relatively quiet elsewhere. Like South Hylton, Berwick on November 5th has no associated Small Boats Head.
The disparity in appeal of different competitions was evident last year and remains marked again this, typified by entries for The Fours Head, set for the Tideway on November 19th, having to be suspended on October 17th when the capacity of 480 was reached the same day, entries having opened at 8am, leaving many disappointed at missing out. The same competition filled up within 3 days in 2021 so perhaps a rethink is in order. By contrast the Veteran Fours Head (for Masters rowers) over the same course on November 20th 2022 opened for entries on October 1st and still has capacity.
Tyne ARC has indicated an intention to open entries for Rutherford Head, which takes place over the Championship course on the Tyne on December 3rd, at 7pm on Sunday, November 6th, another competition that traditionally fills up quickly, although last year was slower to fill – and was then postponed because of stormy weather.
November looks set to be a busy month on the River Wear in Durham. As well as Durham LDS and Autumn SBH on November 12th, Durham College Rowing will be staging the Senate Cup for first fours on November 5th and the Novice Cup on November 19th and 20th while Durham University Boat Club will host the North East Indoor Erg Championship at Maiden Castle on November 12th, renamed this year from the North East Indoor Rowing Championships so as to accommodate SkiErg and BikeErg events as well as indoor rowing.
Congratulations go to Robert Collen and James Purves-Liddell on their bronze medal winning success representing Great Britain in the Under-19 Men’s 2x at the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals at Saundersfoot in Wales on October 14th to 16th. James is the son of John and Angela who are members of DARC. World Rowing introduced the Beach Sprint as a new format of competition in 2019 and British Rowing entered a team for the first time this year in what looks set to become an exciting new Olympic sport.