South Hylton Long Distance Sculls is set to take place this Saturday, with 71 crews lining up to race down the 4750m stretch of the River Wear. As City of Sunderland Rowing Club boasts a course that is notoriously tricky to navigate, it’ll give crews across all ages a chance to prove themselves in more ways than one.
Women’s and Junior Women’s Doubles
With only one entry into women’s doubles, it’ll be interesting to see how the junior crews measure up against the seniors. Coming off the back of a very strong summer season where they won Hexham Regatta, St Leonard’s School Boat Club’s Roffe seems likely not only to beat the other J16 crew, but will also look to challenge the J17 and J18 competitors’ times.
Open and Open Junior Doubles
St Leonard’s School Boat Club’s J18 crew, McDonagh, is set to race down the course ahead of both the open double and the J16 double entries. Having been narrowly knocked out in the first round in the Open Doubles category at Talkin Tarn regatta 2025, McDonagh’s crew will be aiming to prove that they can hold their own against university crews.
Open Singles
Three of five entries in this category are from City of Sunderland Rowing Club. Macdonald, having won Tyne Single Scullers Head in 2024 by a dominant 10 seconds, and subsequently coming second at Wansbeck Regatta 2025, should be going into the race feeling confident, but hasn’t competed in a head race since January earlier this year. By contrast, Eggleston, also from City of Sunderland, came a close second in his band a few weeks ago at Tyne Single Scullers Head 2025, and will no doubt be looking to improve on this performance. It will be interesting to see the approach of the three City of Sunderland crews as they’re no doubt familiar with each other’s race plans.
Women’s J17 Singles
Stoker from City of Sunderland Rowing Club is undoubtedly the favourite to win the J17 category, having an impressive history in head racing. Stoker won Tyne Small Boats Head in 2024, following that with another win at Tyne United New Years Head in 2025, both times racing against the year above in the J18 category. She then made the A final at National School’s Regatta 2025, coming 4th. Can Stoker continue her success, or will she be beaten by one of the other two entries in this category?
Open Masters H/I Singles
In this category, four crews battle for the win. Coming off his recent win in the Tyne Single Scullers Head 2025, Freeman from Cambois Rowing Club is a promising guess for first place this weekend. However, in the same race, Ferguson from Tyne United Rowing Club came second, only half a second behind Freeman, so this weekend’s rematch is set to be a thrilling battle to the line.
Women’s Masters D/E/F Singles
Durham Amateur Rowing Club’s Terry recently came first at Tyne Single Scullers Head 2025, winning by two seconds. Looking to challenge her for the win this weekend is Cleary from Windermere Rowing Club, who raced in a double at the World Rowing Masters Regatta in 2022, coming fourth.
