Northumbrian Water University Boat Race

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 fared 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:

1. Men's senior eights (The Clasper Trophy)
2. Women's senior eights (The Chambers Trophy)
3. Freshmen (The Renforth Trophy)
4. 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

See also

• Newcastle University
• Durham University

External links

• Durham University Boat Club
• Newcastle University Boat Club
• Amateur Rowing Association
• 12th University Boat Race. BBC News. Retrieved on 2008-09-30..