York City Rowing Club

York City Rowing Club
Image showing the rowing club's emblem
File:York City RC Boathouse.jpg
Location	York, England
Home water	River Ouse
Established	October 1843
President	Mike Saville
Chairman	Richard Noble
Membership	200
Affiliations	British Rowing
Website	www.ycrc.co.uk
Events
Yorkshire Head, York Small Boats Head, York Spring Regatta, York Summer Regatta

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.

History

File:Lendal Bridge York.jpg

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.

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.

• 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
• Sprint regatta

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.

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 (a former Olympian).

External links

• Official website