January 26, 2020

Men’s Squad

The DARC Senior Men’s Squad is looking to expand after a successful racing season, and we are happy to accept novice and experienced rowers – get in touch via email if you are interested in joining us for the 2019/20 season.

We accept rowers throughout the year, and people new to the sport (those who completed a Learn to Row Course) in July through to September and a high percentage of our current squad have joined through this route.

We ask all rowers to commit to four training sessions a week, which may increase during regatta season depending on ambition. DARC is lucky to train all year on the River Wear, with additional strength and conditioning sessions in our indoor gym; a typical week’s training consists of four coached water sessions and two additional gym sessions. Occasionally we take our boats to the River Tyne where we have a bigger stretch of water to put some hard training to get ready for the long Head races.

Fours Head 2018

For the 2019/20 season, we are training for the local Autumn LDS (Long Distance Sculling) Series, Autumn Small Boats Heads and Fours Head of the River in London finishing 2019 with Rutherford Head on the Tyne. 2020 will start with Durham Small Boats Head followed by Tyne Head, York Head and Head of River Race in London.

The 2020 regatta season commences in March with York Spring Regatta through to Durham Regatta in June. We are also aiming towards sending crews to southern events like Metropolitan Regatta and Henley Royal Regatta.

The squad is coached, and the training schedule is designed to enable the squad to compete at the highest levels possible whilst maintaining a balance of work, education and family commitments. Our Training program has 4 ‘core’ training sessions (Tuesday evening, Thursday evening and Saturday and Sunday mornings), with optional double sessions on offer at weekends, all of which have a strong waterborne bias.

The squad is for rowers and scullers of all abilities who want to train and race competitively at both local and national events.

Enquiries to Men’s Vice-Captain Stephen Kay at mens-vc@durham-arc.org.uk.