York City Rowing Club enjoyed a hugely successful weekend on the River Tyne, returning home with three victories from the Tyne New Year’s Head.
On Saturday, thirteen crews from York travelled north to compete in the event, which attracted 201 crews from across England, including teams from the Lake District, Berwick-upon-Tweed and as far south as Marlow. Crews raced over a challenging 4.5km upstream course from Scotswood to Newburn, facing windy conditions on the tidal stretch of river.
One of York City’s standout performances came in the women’s band 4 eight, who powered to victory against crews from Durham colleges and Sheffield. The boat was coxed by Mike Thomas, with Katy Ridsdill-Smith, Jenny Burgess, Marissa Cao, Kate Bourn, Alex Webster-Allan, Rebecca Roberts, Harriett Day and Lindsay Groves providing the winning drive.
York City’s junior squad also impressed, as two young athletes claimed victory in the open J18 double scull. The pair defeated crews from Cambois Rowing Club, Durham School Boat Club, Tyne Amateur Rowing Club and Talkin Tarn in Cumbria to secure a convincing win.
Completing a hat-trick of victories for the club, Alex Press triumphed in the open single scull band, beating competitors from Durham United Rowing Club, Durham School Boat Club and St Cuthbert’s College, Durham.
The results continue a strong Head Race season for York City Rowing Club, with just a few months remaining before the traditional end of the long-distance racing calendar. The British Head Race season usually concludes with the prestigious Head of the River Race on the Thames on 28 March, which follows the same course as the Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race held the following week.
Rowing fans will be able to see crews like these competing closer to home at the Yorkshire Head on Saturday 7 March 2026, when around 200 crews from across the country will race on the River Ouse, including the largest boat class, the “eights”, made famous by the annual Boat Race on the Thames.
Founded in 1843, York City Rowing Club is a volunteer-run community club based beside Lendal Bridge. The club has several hundred members ranging from juniors to seniors and masters rowers, and competes at local, regional, national and international level.
The club continues to strengthen its links with communities in York and beyond, promoting rowing as an accessible and competitive sport for all ages.
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