Biggest winter rowing event returns to the River Tyne

The UK’s top student rowers return to the region. It's for the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) 4s and 8s Head on the River Tyne.

It's the fourth time Newcastle University Boat Club (NUBC), Tyne Amateur RC and Tyne United RC have hosted the students' biggest winter rowing event.

Taking place on the weekend of February 22 and 23, the race brings some of the best university crews in the country.

Championship and Intermediate crews will race on Saturday over 5,000m. Sunday’s action will see Beginner crews compete over 3,000m. The action starts at 10.30am and 2.30pm each day, followed by medal presentations at 4.30pm.

Colin Blackburn, Director of Sport, said: “We are delighted to be once again hosting the BUCS 4’s and 8’s Head on the river Tyne. This is in partnership with BUCS and the two local rowing clubs.

"The event will showcase the strength and depth of University rowing. We have mroe than 500 crews scheduled to race over the weekend including several international athletes.”

Newcastle University rowers and coaches hope to build on the stellar performance in previous editions of the race.

In 2018, NUBC cruised to 14 podium finishes, scooping four gold, seven silver and three bronze medals. The club retained its Men’s Victor Ludorum team title and improved on the performance in 2017. That year Newcastle University rowers won 10 podium places. Last year’s race saw NUBC claim to honours in the Intermediate 8s event.

NUBC President Kat Bulmer said: “We’re delighted to once again be hosting the BUCS 4s & 8s Head. Racing on home water is very special and it’s an honour to represent the University on a national stage.

It would be fantastic to have as much support as possible from the University community.”

NUBC has enjoyed record breaking successes both domestically and internationally.

NUBC won the first Henley Royal Regatta win in 2008, in the Prince Albert Challenge Cup. The club has enjoyed successes at the Head of the River, World University Championships, European University Championships and BUCS events. It's consistently producing athletes for the GB U23 team.