York City Rowing Club


York City Rowing Club is a rowing club by the River Ouse in York, England. It has over 200 members, of all ages. The boathouse is on the west bank of the river next to Lendal Bridge and in Memorial Gardens. The club has modern buildings but is three years older than the oldest coastal rowing club in Britain, Dover; it is 25 years younger than the oldest non-academic rowing club, Leander. The reach of canalised river it enjoys is unusually long - over.

History

The present boathouse is a postwar building. Its boat storage is overcrowded owing to the size of the club and the level of activity. A refurbishment plan is underway, and it is hoped to update also the changing facilities, gym and bar/lounge.

Location

The clubhouse is next to Lendal Bridge along West Esplanade. It is by the Ouse - over 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. The public footpath and cycle is 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. Many of the bridges are single-span.

Club colours

These are white, with a narrow band each of purple, black and gold diagonally.

Events

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

Heads

  • Yorkshire Head
This is raced from a start near the A1237 road bridge to a finish near the club. Landmarks on the course are: Maddies' Landing, Clifton Bends and Bridge, St. Peter's School boathouse on stroke-side about 800 m from the finish and finally the Scarborough Bridge carrying a railway across the river.
  • Autumn Sculls
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 and Clifton Bends and Bridge.
  • Small Boats Head
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 boathouse on rowers' left, 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.
  • Summer regatta

Former events

  • Sprint regatta
Beginning at Leeds University Steps, and finishing close to York City Rowing Club's landing stage - in all, the course is roughly. This regatta was discontinued in 2012 due to the lack of interest.

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, and another about an elderly rower.