Durham Regatta
Encyclopedia
Durham Regatta is the premier rowing
event in the North East of England
, held each year on the second weekend in June on the River Wear
which provides a picturesque setting for regattas and head races.
Known as the Henley
of the North, Durham
Regatta
was formed several years before its more prestigious namesake in the south. Durham Regatta is the second oldest rowing regatta in England, preceded only by Chester Regatta. The first race was a six oared race in 1834 between University College Boat Club and a sheriff's crew.
Events are competed over either the short course, a 700 metre stretch of river which provides an excellent view of racing from start to finish, or the long course. The long course of 1800m takes in a number of sweeping bends and Elvet Bridge
and ends near Prebends Bridge
The race has been held 177 times and, in recent years, the regatta has had competitors from all corners of the UK, as well as crews from as far afield as Nereus
in Amsterdam
.
The blue riband event is the Grand Challenge Cup, which has most recently been dominated by Durham University Boat Club
. This event is for Elite Men's Coxed Fours, and due to the introduction of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup for Student Coxed Fours at Henley Royal Regatta this event has proved to be useful practice for student crews from the University Boat Club and College Boat Clubs in the run up to the Royal Regatta.
Durham Regatta is a popular day out for residents and students at the University, providing the climax of the rowing year for most college rowers. Almost all colleges will compete across a variety of boat types and standards, and it is usually the chance to determine which college has the strongest crews of the year.
In 2008, Durham Regatta celebrated its 175th anniversary and to commemorate this, there was a variety of entertainment on the Saturday evening, culminating in a huge pyrotechnic display.
Rowing (sport)
Rowing is a sport in which athletes race against each other on rivers, on lakes or on the ocean, depending upon the type of race and the discipline. The boats are propelled by the reaction forces on the oar blades as they are pushed against the water...
event in the North East of England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
, held each year on the second weekend in June on the River Wear
River Wear
The River Wear is located in North East England, rising in the Pennines and flowing eastwards, mostly through County Durham, to the North Sea at Sunderland.-Geology and history:...
which provides a picturesque setting for regattas and head races.
Known as the Henley
Henley Royal Regatta
Henley Royal Regatta is a rowing event held every year on the River Thames by the town of Henley-on-Thames, England. The Royal Regatta is sometimes referred to as Henley Regatta, its original name pre-dating Royal patronage...
of the North, Durham
Durham
Durham is a city in north east England. It is within the County Durham local government district, and is the county town of the larger ceremonial county...
Regatta
Regatta
A regatta is a series of boat races. The term typically describes racing events of rowed or sailed water craft, although some powerboat race series are also called regattas...
was formed several years before its more prestigious namesake in the south. Durham Regatta is the second oldest rowing regatta in England, preceded only by Chester Regatta. The first race was a six oared race in 1834 between University College Boat Club and a sheriff's crew.
Events are competed over either the short course, a 700 metre stretch of river which provides an excellent view of racing from start to finish, or the long course. The long course of 1800m takes in a number of sweeping bends and Elvet Bridge
Elvet Bridge
Elvet Bridge is a mediaeval masonry arch bridge across the River Wear, in the city of Durham, in County Durham, in England. It links the peninsula in central Durham to the Elvet area of the city, and is a Grade I listed building.-History:...
and ends near Prebends Bridge
Prebends Bridge
Prebends Bridge, along with Framwellgate and Elvet, is one of three stone arch bridges in the centre of Durham, England, that cross the River Wear.-History:...
The race has been held 177 times and, in recent years, the regatta has had competitors from all corners of the UK, as well as crews from as far afield as Nereus
Nereus Rowing Club
The Amsterdam Student Rowing club Nereus, was founded in 1885 by Mr. J. Schölvinck as a subsidiary organization of The Corps, an Amsterdam student fraternity...
in Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
.
The blue riband event is the Grand Challenge Cup, which has most recently been dominated by Durham University Boat Club
Durham University Boat Club
Durham University Boat Club is the Rowing Club of Durham University in England.- History :The club was founded in the 1880s to represent the University instead of University College Boat Club and Hatfield College Boat Club....
. This event is for Elite Men's Coxed Fours, and due to the introduction of the Prince Albert Challenge Cup for Student Coxed Fours at Henley Royal Regatta this event has proved to be useful practice for student crews from the University Boat Club and College Boat Clubs in the run up to the Royal Regatta.
Durham Regatta is a popular day out for residents and students at the University, providing the climax of the rowing year for most college rowers. Almost all colleges will compete across a variety of boat types and standards, and it is usually the chance to determine which college has the strongest crews of the year.
In 2008, Durham Regatta celebrated its 175th anniversary and to commemorate this, there was a variety of entertainment on the Saturday evening, culminating in a huge pyrotechnic display.