HUNDREDS of competitors got the rowing season started with the ‘friendly regatta’.
The Chester-le-Street Regatta, held on Saturday (April 18), is known as the friendly regatta because it is traditionally held at the start of the rowing season and allows old friends to catch up after the winter – and size up the strength of rival squads for the campaign ahead.
This year’s attracted 304 entrants from clubs across the north of England, with rowers aged from 11 to 60-plus.
A total of 237 races were held on the River Wear on Saturday, with a new contest starting about every two minutes between 8.30am and 6.30pm.
All were staged on a 700m course finishing at Chester-le-Street Amateur Rowing Club at the Riverside Sports Complex, near the illustrious home of Durham County Cricket Club.
Club chairman Bob Young said it had been an excellent day.
Among those taking part were enthusiasts from Lakeland, who are being supported in their efforts to found a new club in the Lake District by leaders at Chester-le-Street.
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