BUCS 2009

The club was founded in the 1880s to represent the University instead of University College Boat Club and Hatfield College Boat Club. DUBC’s colour is Palatinate – a shade of purple – that is specific to the City of Durham and to Durham University Sports teams. The colour is derived from that worn by the Prince Bishop of Durham’s armies, and is now used by all University Sports Teams

The club has won a number of medals at Henley Royal Regatta over the years, most recently in 2005. The club has also consistently produced athletes for the Great Britain Squads.

In 1989 the DUBC Freshman Squad was established, and since then Durham’s reputation for taking novice athletes to International standard competitors has continued to grow.

One of the best known coaches of the last half century was Eric Halladay. He was involved in Durham University Rowing from the 1960s through to just before his death in 1997.

In recent years DUBC has gone through a period of sustained success

Wade Hall-Craggs is current Head Coach.
Other Coaches are John Thicknes and Gennadii Ochkalenko.

At the Head of the River Races the club has consistently been placed in the upper ranks of UK and International University crews. At the Women’s Eights Head of the River Race the 1st VIII has won the Senior II Pennant three times in the last 5 years. At the Men’s Head of the River Race the 1st VIII won the Ortner Shield (for Universities) in 2005 and finished 10th overall. 2008 was a successful year for DUBC at the Head of the River Race for both the women’s and men’s crews. The Women’s first VIII came third overall while the men came in 6th improving the best ever position achieved by DUBC at the Men’s Head of the River Race.

The Club is current holder of the Victor Ludorum at the British University Sports Association (BUSA) Championships. They have won this title every year since 2004.

Northumbrian Water Boat Races

The Northumbrian Water University Boat Race is now in its 13th year (2009) and is an annual challenge between the Universities of Durham and Newcastle in a similar vain to the more famous Oxbridge Boat Race. The event is traditionally dominated by Durham, with DUBC taking home the main trophy every year except for 2009 with Newcastle overall winners for the first time. The event is held annually on the River Tyne in central Newcastle-upon-Tyne in May and is well supported by local spectators.

Henley Success

The Club has enjoyed some notable recent Henley success. With 5 wins at Henley Women’s Regatta since 2002, and a win at Henley Royal Regatta in the Men’s Student Coxed Fours (now Prince Albert Challenge Cup) in 2005, and a finalist appearance in the same year for the composite Remenham Challenge Cup crew.

International Achievements

The Club has always, and continues to have, athletes competing at U23 World Championships, Senior World Championships and other International Competitions Most recently the club has achieved medals at both Senior and U23 World Championships in 2005 and 2006.