The roots of competitive rowing were professional, initially competitions took place between watermen working their local river. The working rivers assumed an identity of their own determined by the prowess of their oarsmen. Two Championship courses were recognised, one on the Thames between Putney and Mortlake, and the other on the Tyne between the Tyne Bridge and Lemington Point. Rivalry between the largely industrialised rivers was intense. Rowing became a major spectator sport and some competitors and crews achieved a national recognition that we can only imagine – Webb, Coombes, Pocock and Kelley on the Thames, Clasper, Chambers and Renforth on the Tyne. Major Regattas were organised to include events where competitors competed for the “Championship” of the river. The Thames National Regatta was one such event and in 1834 the Newcastle City Council commissioned the first Tyne Regatta. The spread of competition led to new innovations in boatbuilding. It was Harry Clasper of the Tyne who invented the rigger and the racing shell as we know it. Following the founding of the Football League in 1888 rowing rapidly declined in popularity, although amateurs fired by the examples of the professional oarsmen kept the sport alive and carried it forward. Tyne Regatta survived, organised by the several rowing clubs located on the tidal Tyne. Increasingly, club racing seems to have become more and more “regional” in focus. The Committee of Tyne Regatta therefore thought it appropriate now to resurrect the Championship of Tyne events to allow the best of the North East to compete with the best of elsewhere for prestigious trophies and the accolade “Champions of Tyne”
Northern Echo - 27th July 1909 75th Anniversary Tyne Amateur Regatta Boats Swamped in the Final for the Palmer Cup TEES CHAMPION Scotswood was the scene of the annual Tyne Amateur Regatta on Saturday. The water was in a boistrous state, caused by the strong westerly wind, and it required a great amount of watermanship to keep the frail craft afloat. As it was two of the races were marred by boats being swamped. Read full article using link at bottom of page.
Read full article using link at bottom of page.
As we anticipated, the TYNE REGATTA, on Monday last, afforded the greatest satisfaction to the lovers of aquatic sports, and attracted thousands of spectators to witness the contests for the several prizes. The hardy sons of the North are alike pre-eminent for prowess, game, and skill. accustomed to athletic, and more particularly to aquatic exercises, for which the TYNE --- one of the finest rivers in the kingdom --- affords excellent facilities it was to be expected that the first regatta on its noble stream would draw forth competition of no common order; for "When GREEK meets GREEK then comes the tug of war." Read full article using link at bottom of page.
Trophies As with any long running competition the Trophies awarded for victory gain more significance as more names are added to the winners list. The regatta is blessed with a number of wonderful trophies that have been awarded year upon year to those who triumph over their competition.
|
|
|
 Organised By
Tyne Rowing Club
 |
History |
