Durham Long Distance Sculls 2024 Preview

Events at Durham are always a highlight on the calendar for local competitors with the region’s biggest regatta taking place along this stretch. This weekend follows the same pattern seen in the summer with up to eight crews racing in some events. Due to the large number of entries, previews have only been written for those with over five entries. In the larger boat classes, it is always a challenge to predict results correctly at Durham heads due to Elvet Bridge causing many a capsize and crash which tends to impact the results greatly – this just makes spectating all the more exciting.

Quads

Open Mas CDEFH Quads

With six crews battling it down the river Wear, both experience and power will greatly pay off over the shorter race. Setting off second is Tees RC Atherton, which is likely to be a crew similar to the one that took an exceptional fastest time in the MasCDEG quads at Wansbeck, suggesting great prowess in the quad. I’m sure that Hexham RC’s quad setting off first will put in a strong race, not letting Tees take the final LDS medal on offer too easily. Talkin Tarn could also have potential for top spots in this race, with the club regularly sending committed masters crews out for their early morning races.

Open J15 Quads

This category features five schoolboy crews suggesting some intense competition. Not all these crews have raced each other yet this season, but Yarm‘s, Ashworth crew took a promising win on their local river at Tees LDS, beating Queen Elizabeth High School significantly in the process. Perhaps they may be faster over the two-kilometre stretch and up their game this Saturday.

Doubles 

Open J18 Doubles

With six crews competing in this category, it will undoubtedly be one of the fastest junior boat classes. We are sure to have some more tight racing on our hands. Setting off first are the Yorkshire crews from Yarm School and Tees RC. The Yarm crew competed at Tees LDS recently, where they were the fastest double of the day, a track record I’m sure they are wishing to retain over at Durham. With the potential for steering to throw a spanner in the works, will it hold them back or lead them to success again?

Open J16 Doubles

In the Junior 16 double sculls, we see many more crews battling it down from Prebends Bridge across the 1.8-kilometre course. First set off is Hexham Rowing Club, with one of the crew members of this double having achieved British Rowing Championships gold in the J15 double. I’m sure this crew is anticipating another strong race. This pairing placed second at Tees Long distance Sculls, showing a good albeit new partnership. Following them down the course is Durham School Boat Club Chaytor, who raced two weeks ago at Tyne LDS and also placed second.

Women’s J16 Doubles

In the women’s version of the above race, Tees Rowing Club is leading the cohort down the course; this club tends to be very strong, particularly over the winter head racing, likely due to its impressive stretch of river. Therefore, we look forward to seeing what results this crew can produce on Saturday. With two Durham School crews entering this race, it is up for speculation whether they are the same athletes that competed in the two doubles back at Tees, both placing well despite the very large group of competitors. It will be interesting to see whether the local school’s knowledge of the course will help them take the win this weekend.

Singles 

Open J18 and J16 Singles

With many scullers racing in the boy’s singles, it’s hard to predict who will take the win this Saturday. Tees Rowing Club, “Williams” is leading out the small boats, and as a very experienced athlete with plenty of strong results under his belt, he should be able to keep that lead throughout the race. Following behind are two Yarm school athletes who seem evenly matched in speed, so it should be a tussle for second place. In the younger age groups, Mosley of Durham is aiming to catch up to the older boys and then two Queen Elizabeth High School boys, following a similar pattern to the Junior 18 singles.

Women’s J16 Singles

Setting off second is Smith from Talkin Tarn who is a powerful athlete, having won Hexham regatta this summer whilst racing up an age category. She is following Tute from Durham school down the course, who once again is very experienced in the single locally as well as part of the Junior 15 Coxed Four who made the B-final at the National Schools’ Regatta this summer. Watching these younger athletes is always very exciting, and we should see plenty more success from these girls.

Women’s Masters CDEGH Singles

Five crews, yet only two clubs are a part of this race, with three from Durham ARC and two from Hexham Rowing Club. This tough competition should provide some very close times with intense racing between these athletes, some of whom are exceptionally experienced with many medals.

Open J15 Singles

Boasting an impressive eight crews in this category it is sure to be an exciting event and an excellent opportunity to gain some more experience against good competition to each other. Cain from Queen Elizabeth High School should certainly be high up on the results list, with a good collection of trophies from both his single and crew boats.

Conclusion

Overall this weekend looks to be an exciting lineup with many races to keep an eye on as they come down the course. It will be great to see who takes off as season favourites going into the winter training block and how competition fairs in this early stage of the racing calendar.

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