Rowing: North of England Sprint Rowing Championships at Hollingworth Lake

Date published: 06 September 2018

The North of England Sprint Rowing Championships welcomed 24 rowing clubs to Hollingworth Lake on Saturday 1 September.

Hosted by Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club, the event saw 24 clubs compete in one of the most popular one day sprint rowing events in the country on a three lane 500m buoyed course.

Around 2,000 rowing enthusiasts turned up to watch or compete, creating a super-charged atmosphere with the club members cheering on their racing representatives.

10 hours of racing in different age and skill categories with junior, senior and master athletes taking part and 320 crews from afar afield as Scotland in the North and Newark in the South all competing for the Victor Ludorum prize of £500. 

Both the Junior and Senior/Master prizes were very competitive with Liverpool Vics RC, Runcorn RC, Hollingworth Lake RC, Trafford RC, Tees RC all very close at the end of the day on points, making the event one of the closest yet.

Prizes were won by Runcorn Rowing Club (Senior) and Trafford Rowing Club won the (Junior).

Hollingworth Lake were privileged to have two special VIPs at the Championships, Rochdale Mayor, Councillor Mohammed Zaman, and the newly appointed British Rowing Chairman, Mark Davis.

Mayor Zaman said: “This is amazing, all these people coming from all over the country to see what the Rochdale area is about. It is a fantastic sporting event that shows the town in a positive light with really friendly people.”

The Mayor also gave a speech thanking the competitors and visitors for making the journey to our town, presented winners’ medals and chatted to a large proportion of the athletes waiting to take their turn at competing.

Mr Davis made the journey North from London to be present at the Championships. Impressed by the organisation and friendliness of the event, he said: “What a fabulous place to row. Loving it up in Littleborough at Hollingworth Lake for the North of England Sprint Rowing Championships, thanks for having me.”

Regatta Secretary Mike Smith said: “Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club are grateful for the continued support from the North West Rowing Council, North West Umpires, the Water Activity Centre, Link4Life, and the Hollingworth Lake Sailing Club who give their time voluntarily to provide much-needed support on and off the water throughout the 10-hour day of the championships.

“A great team effort by all involved, lots of accolades from visiting crew members vowing to return and take home the Victor Ludorum prize for themselves in 2019.”

Photos © Alan Mellalieu