Fears of forecasted thunderstorms failed to surface as hundreds of crews competed head-to-head in a packed programme of races at the 192nd festival of rowing.
But the unprecedented dry spring posed some problems, particularly for crews drawn on the unusually shallow Racecourse side of the river, with more than a few losing fins while trying to make a swift start to races.
There was the odd sight of a race official with trousers rolled up trudging down the Racecourse side shallows to pick up some of the detached fins.
But there was also the more familiar rowing sight of a competitor “catching a crab”, losing control of an oar, with one unfortunate Durham School single sculler capsizing, but fortunately into relatively shallow water.
Regatta chair Michael Laing said the problem of shallow stretches of the river, particularly near the starting point adjacent to Pelaw Wood, brought forward the need for dredging.
A crowdfunding appeal to raise the £125,000 needed is being launched, with the hope the work, complying to Environmental Agency standards, can be completed well ahead of the event’s 200th anniversary.
“We do have the issue of the deposition of sand and gravel on the Racecourse side of the river.
“The plan is to move sand, gravel and other material from 250 metres of the river and to move it and dispose of it safely and properly.
“Ownership of the river varies in different sections and we will be doing ourselves a favour if we can get to out 200th anniversary with the work done.
“It needs doing every 20 years or so to ensure we can get it into condition, not only for the benefit of rowers, but for fishermen and other river users.”
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Mr Laing said the task of keeping up with the racing schedule, at three minute intervals, was being met by mid-afternoon on Saturday, in the hope the full programme would be completed shortly after 7pm.
But, following the clear-up work events get underway on day two, at 7am on Sunday, when the racing schedule is due end by around 6.40pm.
