The 190th Durham Regatta took place on June 10th and 11th 2023 in glorious weather that saw spectators gathering in large numbers on the riverbanks to enjoy the racing and entertainment in the Regatta Enclosure, including the return of the popular Dunholm Vikings re-enactment group who were joined this year by fellow Vikings from North of the Tyne and Yorkshire.
The Classic Car Rally was as usual well received, as were other returning favourites and the Elephant Rock Puppet, making its first appearance, while the Durham Music Service, Durham University and Pittington Bands provided musical performances on both afternoons.
Elephant Rock
For a second year PalTV provided live coverage of the action (day 1 and day 2), the production sponsored by Osbournes delighting viewers from around the world.
Umpires and officials were kept busy with over 550 boats from nearly 50 schools, colleges and rowing clubs contesting around 450 races over the two days.
Lambton RC win the WJ13 4x+
Honours were well distributed with 32 different clubs achieving victories, 18 going to Durham School and 15 to Durham Amateur Rowing Club, while those travelling from further afield also enjoyed success, not least wins for St Andrews, City of Cambridge and a Berwick ARC/Harper Adams University composite, while there was a win in the J13 girls quad for newcomers Lambton Rowing Club on the club’s competitive bow after only gaining affiliation to British Rowing the previous week.
Durham University Boat Club won the Championship coxed four over the Long Course on Sunday to take the prestigious Grand Challenge Cup.
DUBC v DUBC in the Grand Challenge Cup
The contest between Newcastle and Durham in the eights events on Sunday saw Durham University Boat Club A overcome DUBC B to win the final of the Open Championship A 8+, Tyne Amateur Rowing Club beat DUBC C to win the Open Championship B 8+, and Newcastle University Boat Club beat Tyne ARC in the final of the Women’s Championship 8+.
The College Victor Ludorum again went to Collingwood College Boat Club who won the Open and Women’s College 4+, Open Elite 4+ and Women’s Intermediate 8+ to amass 33 points. Trevelyan College BC won the Open and Women’s College Maiden Fours and finished second in the VL on 12 points, and Grey College BC was third with 11 points.
Results of all races in race order are available for Saturday and Sunday. Also listed are winners of each event on Saturday and Sunday along with the trophy awarded and the sponsor of the race. Other formats are available as live results for Saturday and Sunday.
Trophies
The presentation of prizes took place in the Gala Theatre on Sunday evening with prizes presented by the Lord Lieutenant of County Durham Sue Snowdon and the Mayor of Durham Lesley Mavin.
The Regatta is as always very grateful to the volunteers on whose skill and efforts it relies.
The Lord Lieutenant expressed her pleasure to the Chairman, observing “This is a wonderful event. Everyone is so happy. Your team and your volunteers do a wonderful job.”
We look forward to the 191st Regatta on June 8th and 9th 2024.