Challenging conditions for Tyne United New Years Head

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Crews braved blustery conditions as winter head racing resumed on the Tyne on January 24th with Tyne United New Years Head, hosted jointly by Tyne United Rowing Club and Durham University Boat Club, the organizers being more fortunate than those of events on the Thames and Severn that were cancelled on the same weekend.

The course on the Tyne was shortened to allow competitors some respite from the worst of the elements as around 180 crews took to the water for two divisions of racing between Scotswood and Newburn.

Durham ARC had six entries, in division 1 two coxless quads racing as Masters G and Masters H, and a J16 coxless quad racing in band 1 as a composite of Durham ARC, Durham School and Hexham RC, while division 2 entries included a Women’s band 2 eight, Open single scull and Masters E single scull.

Women’s 8+ at TUNYH

Times and results were as follows –

Division 1

  • MasG 4x- Boyd 16.01.4 – 2nd in MasEFG 4x-
  • MasH 4x- Merchant 20.06.4 – 3rd in MasHI 4x-

The Durham ARC/Durham School/Hexham RC Gould J16 4x- unfortunately encountered steering issues and did not finish.

Division 2

  • Women’s 8+ band 2 Wilson 14.38.9 – 2nd in Women’s 8+ band 2
  • Open 1x Baird 15.14.2 – 2nd in Open 1x
  • MasE 1x Terry 14.56.5 – won MasCEF 1x

One 1st, three 2nd and one 3rd place finishes saw DARC off to a good start in the opening competition of 2026.

Mike Terry in MasE 1x

Durham University was well represented with 19 entries from Durham University Boat Club and 29 from Durham College Boat Clubs. DUBC having returned recently from a winter training camp in Banyoles, Spain recorded 5 of the 6 fastest times in division 1 and the 9 fastest times in division 2, as well as winning 8 events. St Cuthbert’s Society also won Open 8+ band 2 and St John’s College won Women’s 8+ band 2. University crews will now have their sights set on BUCS Head which takes place on the Tyne on February 28th and March 1st.

Results can be found on Oar-Online – Division 1 here and Division 2 here. Photos are available from SI Events and from AllMarkOne.

Well done to everyone and thanks to the organizers and volunteers for putting on an enjoyable day. We look forward to Durham Small Boats Head (SBH) on Saturday, February 7th.

The winter season moves into full swing with Tyne Head of the River hosted by Tyne Amateur Rowing Club the week after Durham SBH on February 14th.

Future competitions include the following –