More than 400 rowers from Northern England and Ireland will descend on Derwentwater next week to participate in the area's largest-ever rowing competition.
On Saturday, 9 March, the Lakeland Rowing Club will host the second full-scale Derwentwater Head of the modern era.
With approximately 100 crews of four or eight rowers, participants ranging in age from fifteen to seventy-five will take part in the time-trial-style competition that spans the lake's length.
The inaugural 2023 event was the first race of its kind on Derwentwater since the Victorian era.
Traditionally, crews travelled from as far as London by train and manually transported their boats through the town to the shore.
This year's highly anticipated British Rowing spectacle begins at 8.30am when clubs start shifting their boats from Lakeside car park to the water located between the Keswick Launch Company jetties.
Lakeland RC chair Julia McCumiskey said, "We’re hoping lots of people will come to watch.
"The crews unloading their 18-metre boats and carrying them to the water is an extraordinary sight in itself.
"They will then head to the start at the southern end of the lake before racing back towards the town."
Split into three divisions, the first crews will set off at 9.15am and the last around 2.45pm.
Racecourse details will be confirmed based on wind conditions on the day, enabling spectators to view from various points along the lake.
Ms McCumiskey added: "Our beautiful lake is unlike any other location on the British Rowing racing calendar, and there’s a lot of excitement among the rowing community about competing on it.
"Many of the competitors plan to spend the weekend in Keswick, enjoying all the town has to offer."
Last year's course record was set in just 11 minutes 36.4 seconds over the 3km distance by an eight from Durham University’s Josephine Butler College.
Highlights of the race's humble beginnings surround a small-scale trial in 2019 before progressing to a full-scale event last March.
"We’re a small club with limited facilities and staging the race takes a lot of time and commitment from members and their families, as well as from local organisations, and umpires at other clubs," Ms McCumiskey mentioned, also attributing success to their generous event sponsors, Derwent Water Marina, Mike Fell Building Contractors, Lloyds BMW, and Inovica.
Those interested in learning more about the opportunities at Lakeland RC, whether beginners, returning rowers, coxes, or coaches, are encouraged to visit the club's website or Facebook page.
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