With the historic Durham Regatta taking over the city this weekend, over 10,000 spectators and 1,400 competitors are expected to flood the riverbanks to enjoy a day of elite racing and family fun.
However, for seven Durham School leavers it marks the end of their seven year tenure as leading members of the school’s famous Boat Club, one of the founders of Durham Regatta in 1837.
Alex Jones, Matthew Storey, Luke Hargreaves, Ryan Bewick, Ian Richardson, Alasdair Richardson (captain), and head of school Alexander Smith will be racing in this year’s Regatta as Durham School pupils for the last time.
Historically, Durham School has gained a reputation for their involvement with the Regatta, with many Old Dunelmians returning to cheer on the new generation of rowers.
Headmaster, Kieran McLaughlin, attributes this to the emphasis the school places on extra-curricular activities in preparing their pupils for their future careers.
He said: “The Boat Club at Durham School has been a vital component in the extra-curricular sporting programme that we offer. As well as providing facilities to learn a new sport and the associated benefits that exercise can offer, rowing also teaches our pupils important lessons that can’t be taught in the classroom.
“Whether they win or lose, they do so as a team. They train together, travel together and compete together. This sense of team spirit fosters outstanding communication skills and team working capabilities that will give them a head start as they enter the working environment.
“Competing in events like the Durham Regatta gives Durham School pupils the opportunity to showcase their sporting talent while building confidence and nurturing resilience.
“I’d like to wish this year’s teams the best of luck and to let them know that win or lose, they have gained something much more important than a trophy by taking part.”
One of the pupils taking part in their final regatta is Alexander Smith, age 17, head of school at Durham School. After watching his older brother Matthew take part in the school’s Boat Club, Alexander decided to follow in his footsteps.
His father, Quentin Smith, volunteers at the Boat Club. He said: “Rowing has been part of our family life for 12 years now. I love the ethos of the sport, its inclusivity across age, gender and ability, and how it prepares the pupils for life outside of school. The team spirit and competitive nature of the sport, the high levels of fitness required, the ability to work together in what can often be pretty bad weather conditions away from home, all of these are factors that contribute to their development.
“With respect to rowing at Durham School specifically, I believe it to be one of the school’s great strengths and one that sets it apart from most other schools in the region. I work with the club across many events throughout the year and it is a pleasure to do so.”
Durham Regatta is taking place on the 10 and 11 June from 8am-8pm, with races taking place over the course of the weekend. For the best views, tickets can be purchased to spectate from the Regatta enclosure, where there is access to entertainment and facilities.
For more information on Durham School, visit their website at www.durhamschool.co.uk/, or call 0191 386 4783.