Durham Kingfishers recorded a clean sweep of four victories from four races in round 5 of the Sunday League as it returned to Tynemouth on August 7th – the first visit there for four years. Hosted by Tynemouth Rowing Club at Priors Haven where the River Tyne meets the North Sea the event is very dependent on weather conditions and is always the most eagerly awaited of the Sunday League rounds, the competition taking place at a different venue each month during the summer providing an ideal opportunity for new members and those with limited experience to witness some of the stunning rowing locations around the Northern region. Details of all rounds can be found on the Northern Rowing Council website.
A westerly breeze meant choppy water conditions presented a few difficulties for competitors but the usual friendly welcome and hospitality provided by the host club ensured that everyone was able to rise to the challenge and an enjoyable day was had.
Durham Kingfishers at Cambois
A good entry of 13 teams from 9 different clubs included City of Sheffield who were making their first appearance of the season. For the scratch crew of Kingfishers from DARC it was their third appearance in the competition, following the rounds at Durham in April and Cambois in June where they achieved two wins on each occasion. Unavailability of crew members meant Charlotte Johnson and Colin Lawson joined John Carter and Gary Walker at Tynemouth, replacing Alison Hoare and Sharon Richardson from the crew that appeared in the Durham and Cambois rounds. Dave Green again provided coxing, this time helping out crews from Cambois and Sheffield as well as Durham, demonstrating how everyone helps one another in the Sunday League whether they are rivals or not.
Durham Kingfishers at Tynemouth
Tynemouth is unique among the venues for the 7-round series in having no steps or landing stage and requiring competitors to boat from the beach. Races are contested over a short course of around 300 metres parallel to the north pier, with the location of the start and finish moving with the tide. Durham Kingfishers achieved wins in races against Tyne to Go Home (Tyne ARC), Hexham All Sorts (Hexham RC), Wamsbeck Warriors (Cambois RC) and Berwick’s Best (Berwick ARC).
New teams are encouraged to join the Sunday League at any time during the season. Details of how to enter are on the NRC website. Two rounds remain, at Talkin Tarn in September and Tyne ARC in October.
As Tynemouth doesn’t host a regatta the only opportunities for most to row there are in the Sunday League and the Great Tyne Row, the latter scheduled this year for Sunday, August 21st (entries now closed). The Great Tyne Row is an annual 25km challenge for stable coxed boats starting at Newburn and finishing at North Shields, with crews continuing into the Haven and disembarking on the beach at Tynemouth. Because of cancellations and weather curtailments in recent years the event hasn’t actually been able to finish at Tynemouth since 2017 so this year is sure to be worth waiting for. Added to this 2022 marks the 1900th anniversary of the construction of Hadrian’s Wall, and the Great Tyne Row will therefore have a Roman theme, with participants encouraged to dress accordingly. The River Tyne had strong links with the Wall and the Roman defence network with supplies and personnel regularly rowed upstream from the Roman forts at Arbeia (South Shields) and Segedunum (Wallsend).
As well as prizes for the fastest crew there will be the usual awards for the best dressed crew and boat. Details can be found on the Great Tyne Row website. Previous years have been well supported by DARC, including 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016.
Dave going afloat with Sheffield