Genre Rowing regatta Frequency Annually Years active 183 | Date(s) Second Weekend in June Location(s) River Wear, Durham Inaugurated 1834 | |
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Durham Regatta is a rowing regatta held annually on the second weekend in June on the River Wear in Durham, North East of England. Known as the Henley of the North, Durham Regatta was formed several years before the more prestigious namesake Henley Royal Regatta. Durham Regatta is the second oldest rowing regatta in England, preceded only by Chester Regatta. The first regatta was held over 17–19 June 1834, opening with a six oared race in 1834 won by Velocity, owned by W. L. Wharton, High Sheriff of Durham, against the Durham University Original Club in Sylph.
Contents
The race has been held 182 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.
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.
Events
Events are competed over either the short (regatta) course, a 700 metre stretch of river which provides an excellent view of racing from start to finish, or the long (championship) course. The long course of 1800 metres takes in a number of sweeping bends and Elvet Bridge and ends near Prebends Bridge.
Grand Challenge Cup
The blue riband event is the Grand Challenge Cup, which has been run since 1854. It has recently been dominated by Durham University Boat Club and Newcastle 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.