The story of Chester Le Street Rowing Club, who occupy a two-kilometre stretch of the River Wear at the Riverside Sports Complex in County Durham, is quite remarkable. Founded in 1888, CLS RC has gone from losing their boathouse to fire in 1930, to dominating the regional rowing circuit by the 1950s but then being forced to close in the late ’70s as the local appetite for rowing dwindled. However, with Bob Heywood’s help, the club re-formed during the 1980s and has since gone from strength to strength.
The Junior Section of the Club is a large and welcoming set-up, with the club’s website stating that “whatever your age, ability or fitness CLSARC will have you out on the water in no time”. This inclusive spirit has been enhanced for the better, as the Juniors have certainly played a role in re-establishing the club’s former glory. In the last decade, CLS has produced three national champions in the W J14 1x (2014), Op J14 1x (2015) and Op J16 4+ (2018). This consistent delivery of excellence has been supplemented by representation at an international level in Victoria Bryant. She won bronze at the 2005 World Junior Championships in the Women’s 8+, coxed by future Olympic silver medalist Zoe de Toledo. During the lockdown, the club has been hosting weekly strength and conditioning sessions for its athletes and hosted several “Zoom Regattas”. This coming Saturday, CLS will host Aegcroft Rowing Club, QEHS, Lakeland and Tyne amongst others in a several age groups events, where the winners will receive a pristine CLS glass tumbler. Last but not least among the juniors, a special mention must go to Johnny Cleaugh, who ranked as the faster male in the 0-12 category in Concept 2 World Indoor Rowing Rankings, where he beat second place by nine seconds. Simply incredible.
The Senior Squad, comprising men and a women squad more than holds its own against the up and coming juniors. Three ex-squad members won gold at BUCS Head in early 2020. There has also been a further international success with Joseph Adamsons competing at both the U23 European Championships in 2019 and the World Junior Championships the year before. He competed in the Men’s 2x and 1x respectively. This adding to the two gold medals won at the 2018 Munich International Regatta proves he is certainly one to watch He will undoubtedly look to continue the legacy created by fellow CLS alumna Will Fletcher, who started rowing the club in 2002 and at the time of his retirement last year had amassed four consecutive Henley wins, silver and bronze medals at the World Championship and gold in at U23 level. Not to be outdone, the Women’s Squad ( given impetus by Victoria Byrant two bronze and one gold medals in the U23 Worlds and the World Juniors from 2007-2009) have produced stellar results. From 2016-2020, 11 GB Vests were earned along with three gold and one bronze.
To say that CLSARC is an up and comer in the British Rowing would be a massive understatement. From junior to senior, from closure to emergence, CLSARC has reclaimed its rightful place as one of the premier rowing clubs in Durham and the entire North of England. Expect to hear more success in future.
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Images by Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club
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