presents
The Winter Challenge Cup
21st and 22nd January 2012
River Tyne at Newburn
“It was a perfect opportunity to get some race experience in this seasons crews in preparation for the approaching head races, but it also had some fun summer racing on the Sunday.”
The Winter Challenge Cup is an annual event hosted by Durham University Boat Club. It is now in its third year, having been formed by past presidents Benji Dawes and Ed Sidgwick. It is a BUCS Endorsed event and as such, although no BUCS points are awarded, they have put their name to it and are confident in our ability to host a stellar event.
The event is held on the river Tyne boating from Tyne United Rowing Club (www.turc.co.uk) – a club that DUBC is in partnership with. Last year, the club there was in somewhat of a transition phase with boat sheds coupling as a club house and kitchen. However, the brand new club house has just recently been finished and the club is really taking shape. For the athletes rowing at the event, this is going to make it so much easier not least as there will be a warm clubhouse for breaks in racing.
The format of the weekend is unique in that the Saturday is a 2.5km head race with the Sunday being side-by-side racing. We accept entries for Men’s and Women’s, Beginner, Intermediate and Championship 4+s and 8s. Racing is organised in such a way that crews are encouraged to double up and so for example race in an 8 in the morning and split into two 4+s for the afternoon. There has been a brilliant atmosphere over the last two years ( even despite last year’s snow), something we hope to exceed this year and provide an enjoyable event for all concerned.
By no means must competitors race on both days and we realise that for many this is not feasible anyway. The two events are however linked with crews being seeded for the regatta racing based on their performance on the Saturday. We organise a social on the Saturday evening for those who are staying for both the days.
More information can be found in our downloads section, including this year’s flyer and entry forms etc. The content will be updated the closer we get to the event and we will also post draws and results on here.
See menu at right for downloads and entry forms.