We’ve finally hit the head season again and to kick it off in the north east, this weekend sees the return of the Tees Long Distance Sculls & Small Boats Head. With over 350 crews racing taking on this course this year, these races are sure to bring excitement and energy once again to the River Tees. Crews from across the region will tackle the demanding 5000m course, known for its tight and technical bends and fast finishes. With conditions expected to be near to perfect this year, a truly electric atmosphere is building up and spectators can expect a full day of tight racing and standout performances across the board.
Long Distance Sculls:
Open J18 Quads
The second race of the day sees the Open J18 Quads and the first off is George Watson’s College Boat Club. Known for producing technically sharp scullers, they’ll be looking to set the tone for the rest of the day early – but with a stacked field waiting behind them, holding that position won’t be easy.
Women’s J17 Quads
With George Heriot’s School leading the charge, Durham Amateur Rowing Club and Hexham Rowing Club are going to stay sharp off the line to stay in touch, especially on such a twisting river like the Tees. Heriot’s are known for laying down an aggressive first 500 and if they set their rhythm early, the other crews could find themselves racing in the shadows.
Open MasCFGI Quads
This category always provides an intense atmosphere and this year with Hexham Rowing Club as the first off, the same is all but guaranteed. However, being tailed by Tyne United Boat Club might prove to be an issue for them even though they might have the advantage of sharper technique and lines might prove an advantage around the tight bends, Tyne are never far off the mark. With clean racing, the results could go any way.
Open J15 Quads
The crew from Yarm School Boat Club is a force to look out for on their home river as they return after coming a close fourth in the A final of National Schools Regatta, and with half the crew back in the boat, they will be looking to go one better this time. If they keep their rhythm sharp yet aggressive, there’s no doubt they will dominate the race.
Open Singles
Sunderland Rowing Club are sending down Macdonald once again to compete in the Open Single Sculls category. After a storming victory at both Tyne Single Scullers Head and South Hylton LDS in 2024 and 2025, and by an impressive ten seconds in 2024, he’s quickly built a reputation as one of the dominant scullers in the region. If his recent form is anything to go by, it’s going to take something extraordinary by his competition to stop him from claiming yet another win.
Open J17 Singles
This time, we have Gawthorp from St Peter’s School Boat Club being sent down the track, fresh off a win in the J16 Singles event at last season’s Junior Sculling Regatta by a decisive seven seconds. With the lethal combination of precision, power and race-day composure, he is shaping up to be a serious threat. However, standing in his way is Maxey from Yarm School Boat Club, perhaps a lesser known name in the area but with a few key advantages, like home river knowledge and stamina over long courses. It will be interesting to see which way the results will go in this event.
Small Boats Head:
Women’s J18 Quads
The top junior women’s event here usually ends up providing a tight set of results and with Durham Amateur Rowing Club and George Heriot’s School Rowing Club leading the charge down the five kilometre course, it will be no different. Following closely behind them is a determined composite from Berwick ARC/Lambton RC, making it a thrilling watch to see whether they can close the gap.
Open J16 Quads
This race promises to be captivating as the George Watson’s College Rowing Club and St Peter’s School Boat Club crews battle it down the course, building on last season’s National Schools Regatta where they finished within just two seconds of each other.
Open Coxed Fours
This category never fails to disappoint and this year promises to be no exception: with nine crews across the two bands, the spectators can expect a thrilling race down the winding course. Collingwood College Boat Club sees the first two crews set off, and will likely be the fastest two crews to make through the river’s tight bends and challenging stretches.
Open J18 Doubles
Once again, Yarm School Boat Club are first to lead the pack and this time, with GB triallist Tulloch in the boat, they will almost certainly be guaranteed a win in this race. However, will Pemberton from St Peter’s School Boat Club crew following manage to keep up with them and prove that they also have what it takes?
Women’s J18 Doubles
This category has consistently proven to be one of the more competitive and unpredictable of them all. The combination of White and Bell from Yarm School Boat Club have been unstoppable in this category after having won an impressive gold in the Women’s J17 Double Sculls event at the Junior Sculling Regatta last year. However, with the River Tees posing a completely different challenge to that of Dorney Lake, relying on their sharp technique and trust in each other will be essential for success.
Women’s J16 Doubles
All eyes are on the crews from Strathclyde Park Rowing Club, who have travelled down from Glasgow to make their mark at this race. With smooth water and rising anticipation along the course, they’ll be looking to translate all their work until this is a race as they aim to push for the fastest time through the course.
Open J15 Singles
With 12 crews racing across both bands in this category, the results will undoubtedly be fiercely contested. With half of the band one crew from Yarm School Boat Club and four of six of the band two crews accounted for from Tyne United Rowing Club, the stage is set for a bit of spirited rivalry down the course.
