Tees Rowing Club set off for the two day Durham City Regatta with a full trailer load of boats and high hopes for the new regatta season. They were not to be disappointed and one of their successes was one of the outstanding features of this event.

The club has seen a healthy influx of new members of all ages particularly since its move to the new Lottery assisted River Tees Watersports Centre.

Among the most enthusiastic recruits has been a group of ladies who have taken to the sport as a result of their sons being involved. Racing in Women's Novice Fours against crews literally half their age they disposed of opposition from Hatfield College, University College, St. Andrew Boat Club in the heats and Hull University in the final to win this their first qualifying event.

The crew of Deborah Ashurst, Diana Ramsden, Victoria Laing and Christine Meikle were coxed by their coach Neil Hindle.

Not to be outdone the Tees Veteran men were also in good form. The Veteran C (over 43s) crew of Richard Harandon, Dick Wilkinson, Tor Taverener, Dilwyn Jones and cox Carole Jones won their event beating Chester-le-Street and Whitby Friendship.

The Veteran E (over 55s) crew of John Green, Alan Parsons, Chris Kenyon and Tony Stocking and cox John Heron just lost out in their fours events but combining with a crew from Durham ARC to form a Veteran E eight they were successful on both days beating Tyne RC and Durham ARC respectively.

A small contingent of Tees members will be at Bradford Regatta this weekend whilst others will stay "at home" training in preparation for Tees Regatta on Sunday May 26th. This years event will be the first to use the new River Tees Watersports Centre.

A significant level of enquiries has already been received from both home and abroad, including a contingent from Holland, and a record entry is expected.