MORE than 200 rowing crews took to the River Tees last Saturday when Tees Rowing Club promoted two time trial races.

The first, held in the morning, was the Tees Long Distance Sculls, the final race in a series of six run in the North-East, while the afternoon saw the first ever Tees Small Boats Head of the River Race.

In both events competitors raced against the clock over a three-mile course from the new Jubilee Bridge down to the Millennium Bridge in the centre of Stockton.

The sculling race attracted a record 126 starters in singles, doubles and quads, together with one octuple - a rarely seen type of racing boat.

Competitors came from all parts of the North of England as well as Glasgow, Edinburgh, London and Weybridge and there was also a good sized contingent from the host club.

Conditions were ideal for racing with calm water and a light breeze, although a couple of single scullers were caught out by one of the tricky bends and took an early bath.

The services of the nearby safety boats were not needed and both competitors climbed back into their boats and completed the course.

St Peter's School, York produced an outstanding performance to win the race outright in a quadruple scull, beating Durham University into second place by a clear seven seconds in a time of 17mins 41secs.

In third place was the Tees RC double scull crewed by Johnnie and David Cooper, who were the quickest in their division in 17.55.

Tees RC won two other categories: Dilwyn Jones in the men's veteran C (over 43) in 20.56 and Chris Kenyon in the men's veteran F (over 60) in 21.1.

The Tees Small Boats Head of the River, which was open to all types of boat except eights (which are classed as big boats), was the first race of this type to be held on the Tees.

Thanks to the non-tidal conditions created by the Tees Barrage, the river is now regarded as one of the best boat racing venues in the country, a factor which no doubt contributed to the excellent entry of 75 crews for this inaugural event.

With a number of tricky bends on the first part of the course, it is a challenge for the skills of rowers and coxes alike - a factor which seemed to add rather than detract from the overall enjoyment of the race.

Tees RC's veteran E (over 55) coxed four put their local knowledge to good effect and exacted revenge for an earlier defeat by beating season long opponents Durham ARC by a clear minute.

They also surprised themselves by also coming in ahead of their much younger veteran rivals from Chester le Street to win the category.

The assistance of British Waterways in enacting a river closure during the races as well as helping to keep the course clear of debris and providing river patrol coverage was much appreciated by organisers and competitors alike