The Boat Race of the North
The Northumbrian Water University Boat Race is an annual event between the boat clubs of Durham University Boat Club and Newcastle University Boat Club. The event is staged on the River Tyne in Newcastle. The inaugural race took place on May 18, 1997. The year 2008 saw the 12th event, although only ten of the twelve prior races had taken place, due to bad weather. Durham has traditionally faired better in the competition, winning a total of eight of the ten races, although on the two occasions they did not win, they retained the title as the race was a draw.
The main rowing event consists of the following four races:
- Men's senior eights (The Clasper Trophy)
- Women's senior eights (The Chambers Trophy)
- Freshmen (The Renforth Trophy)
- Freshwomen (The Taylor Trophy)
In addition a race for junior rowers takes place before the main University races over the same course. It is usually contested between Tyne RC representing Newcastle and a composite of Durham Schools (usually Durham School and St Leonards) representing Durham. The event does not count towards the overall trophy.
In recent years the event has been very well supported, particularly if the weather is fair. Local entertainment is often provided, and other spectacles such as a parade of tall ships, a University Sailing Contest and a University Canoe Water Polo contest have enlivened the atmosphere prior to the main race.
Presentations are made after the races have finished in Baltic Square on the Gateshead side of the river.
The 2006 race and the crews' build up to the race was filmed extensively for an ITV television show about rowing in the North-East.
Results
Year | Race Number | Clasper Trophy | Chambers Trophy | Renforth Trophy | Taylor Trophy | Overall |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2008 | 12 | Durham | Durham | Durham | Durham | Durham Win |
2007 | 11 | Newcastle | Durham | Durham | Newcastle | Draw - Durham Retain the Trophy |
2006 | 10 | Durham | Durham | Newcastle | Durham | Durham Win |
2005 | 9 | Newcastle | Durham | Durham | Newcastle | Draw - Durham Retain the Trophy |
2004 | 8 | Durham | Durham | Durham | Durham | Durham Win |
2003+ | 7 | - | - | - | Newcastle | - |
2002 | 6 | Durham | Durham | Newcastle | Durham | Durham Win |
2001 | 5 | Durham | Newcastle | Durham | n/a | Durham Win |
2000+ | 4 | - | - | - | n/a | - |
1999 | 3 | Durham | Newcastle | Durham | n/a | Durham Win |
1998 | 2 | Durham | Durham | Newcastle | n/a | Durham Win |
1997 | 1 | Durham | Durham | Durham | n/a | Durham Win |
- Notes
+ Event cancelled due to bad weather