York City Rowing Club

York City Rowing Club is a rowing club situated on the bank of the River Ouse in York, England. It has over 200 members, of all ages. The boathouse is on the south bank of the river next to Lendal Bridge.

York City Rowing Club
LocationYork, England
Home waterRiver Ouse
EstablishedOctober 1843[1]
Key people
  • Caroline Sherlock (President)
  • Gregory Pipe (Chairman)
Membership200
ColorsPurple, black and gold
AffiliationsBritish Rowing boat code YRK
Websitewww.ycrc.co.uk
Events
Yorkshire Head, York Small Boats Head, York Spring Regatta, York Summer Regatta, York Autumn Sculls

History
Lendal Bridge from the South Bank, looking downstream
The River Ouse in York

The present boathouse is a postwar building whose boat storage has become seriously overcrowded owing to the size of the club and the level of activity. A refurbishment plan is under way, and it is hoped to update not only the boat racks, but also the changing facilities, gym and bar area.[1]

Location

The clubhouse is located next to Lendal bridge along West Esplanade. It is situated by the River Ouse, with over 20 mi (32 km) of rowable water; upstream from the boathouse the river is winding,in places quite narrow, and is rowable as far as Linton Lock. This stretch is almost free from recreational and commercial traffic, however, there is a public footpath and cycle path between the river and boathouse. Wildlife encountered includes herons, kingfishers, otters and at least one seal. Downstream the river is wider with less severe bends, but is less interesting and, especially in summer, is sometimes congested with excursion craft, cabin cruisers and hired motor-boats.

Events

The club runs or assists with five events throughout the year, including 2 heads and 3 regattas.

Heads
  • Yorkshire Head (a Yorkshire Rowing Council event in Spring)

This is raced from a start near the A1237 road bridge to a finish near the club. Landmarks on the course are: Maddies' Landing (a derelict wharf once serving the old mental hospital at Clifton), Clifton Bends and Bridge (a sharp S-bend under a road bridge), St. Peter's School boathouse on stroke-side about 800 m from the finish and finally (with 200 m to go) the Scarborough Bridge carrying a railway across the river.

  • Autumn Sculls (in September)

Started in 2015 to provide early season head racing in small boats. The course is 4,500m downstream from Rawcliffe Landing near the bypass bridge to just above Scarborough Railway Bridge in the city centre. Landmarks include Maddies' Landing (a derelict wharf once serving the old mental hospital at Clifton) and Clifton Bends and Bridge (a sharp S-bend under a road bridge).

  • Small Boats Head (in November)

A shorter course, upstream from a point at Fulford upstream of the A64 road bridge to a finish at the King's Staithe. The course passes York University boat-house on bow-side, under the Millennium foot-bridge then passes the confluence of the R. Fosse, also on bow-side, shortly before the finish.

Regattas
  • Spring regatta

Beginning at or close to St Peter's steps, and finishing close to York City Rowing Club's landing stage - in all, the course is roughly 850 metres (2,790 ft).

  • Summer regatta

Former Events
  • Sprint regatta[2]

Beginning at Leeds University Steps, and finishing close to York City Rowing Club's landing stage - in all, the course is roughly 500 metres (1,600 ft). This regatta was discontinued in 2012 due to the lack of interest.[3]

In the media

York City Rowing Club is featured often in the York Press. Recently, they have written two articles about York City Rowing Club, one about a grant received,[4] and another about an elderly rower (a former Olympian).[5]

Honours

Henley Royal Regatta
Year Races won
2007Britannia Challenge Cup

British champions
Year Winning crew/s
1976Women J18 1x[6]
2006Open L1x[7]

References
  1. "York City Rowing Club: The Club". York City Rowing Club. Retrieved 29 April 2012.
  2. "Events". York City Rowing Club. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  3. "Sprint Regatta". YCRC. Retrieved 15 August 2012.
  4. Bean, Dan (5 March 2012). "Sports clubs receive Olympic windfall". The York Press. Retrieved 12 April 2012.
  5. Liptrot, Kate (7 March 2012). "York rower still oar-some at 80". The Press. Retrieved 11 April 2012.
  6. "Burnell, Richard. "Performances confirm selectors' choice for world championship." Times, 19 July 1976, p. 7". Times Digital Archives.
  7. ""Rowing." Times, 17 July 2006, p. 57". Times Digital Archives.

Further reading
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