Boats

The most successful undergraduate rowing programme in Britain

Officially formed in 1877, the Club's distinctive palatinate strip has been synonymous with nationwide rowing success. The club has won the British Universities Championship six years in a row and are, without question, the outstanding undergraduate rowing programme in Britain. However, it is the contribution that Durham University Boat Club makes to British Rowing at international level that really sets Durham apart from most of our competitors. Durham is the only ARA High Performance Rowing Centre North of the Thames and with the support of the ARA, our alumni and TASS, our programme continues to expand. Over the last eight years no fewer than 21 DUBC athletes have gone onto represent their country at international level. Our most famous names include Olympians James Clarke, Lou Reeve and Stephen Rowbotham but our illustrious list does not end there. For a full list of our recent international athletes, please click here.

Current students include senior international athletes Emily Taylor and Sarah Cowburn. However the beauty of Durham's programme is that you do not neccessarily need previous rowing experience to still have a chance of reaching the very highest of levels. Senior international athletes, Steve Rowbotham, Naomi Hoogesteger and Emily Taylor had never not into a boat before they came as undergraduates to Durham and we know that more will follow in their footsteps. Our Fresher's and Novice programmes have very few rivals and the Boat Club provides a perfect platform for ambitious and driven individuals to strive to be the very best no matter what previous experience they have - we welcome novices and thrive on the opportunity we have to make our students the very best that they can be.

New Facilities!!

These are exciting times for DUBC. The club has recently moved into its new boathouse in Gateshead, just 20 minutes away from the centre of Durham. In addition building work is about to commence at Durham City itself. This time next year Durham University rowing facilities will include an indoor rowing tank and additional boat house facilities on the River Wear.

About our coaches

Wade Hall Craggs (Senior Coach)

Former Durham University student and DUBC member
GBR Olympian (Barcelona 1992)
Former GBR Coxed four coach (Gold medal winners at the senior World Championships in 2000)

Matthew Pearce (Men's Coach)

Born in Australia
Former Head of Junior & Freshmen Female Varsity Programme (Saratoga University USA)
Former Head Coach of Shenendehowa Rowing Club (New York USA)
Former Head of Development and Elite Rowing (Western Cape Rowing Association, South Africa)

Gennady Ochklalenko (Women's Coach)

Born in the Ukraine
Former Singapore National Coach
Former Chinese provincial coach
University of Dniepropetrovsk, Senior Teach of Physical Education

John Thickness (Talent Coach)

Learned to row at Durham school as a junior
Former Bristol and Reading University coach
Former lawyer
John works with our Fresher's and those coming to Durham under the Sporting Giants Talent Identification programme

Rowing Scholarships are available for athletes of age group international standard and above. For more information about Scholarships and the Elite Athlete Performance Programme, please click here.

Senior GBR International and current scholarship athlete, Sarah Cowburn

Durham University Rowing is a Tier 1 Performance programme and athletes within the club have access to the following support services

Full time professional coaching support
Sports specific strength and conditioning and fitness support
Access to nutritional guidance seminars and additional nutritional information
Access to Connect Physical Health Centre Open Clinics and pre booked physiotherapy sessions to selected athletes
Access to an on-site doctor to selected athletes
Performance and individual technique video analysis (Performance Squad only)
Access to a comprehensive pre-winter season, post Christmas and pre-summer season training programme
Support in attaining sporting concessions where the performer is in good academic standing
Lifestyle and time management support / mentoring for selected athletes

Want to know more about the Team Durham Performance programme? Please click here