sculling

Scull boat historian Steve Parsons from Madison, Ala., said it best, "Over the years, I have noticed that if 100 people show interest in this sport (sculling), only 10 actually try it.

He was 12th overall in the lightweight men's single scull and was clearly not on form even given his well-known preference for sweep oar rather than sculling boats.

Danielle Coulton showed her true potential in winning the Women's Senior 3 single sculling event.

The 6.5km event on the weekend saw the Welsh sculling quartet finish an impressive 15th out of 200 crews, which proved a mammoth effort given the Welsh women are classed as lightweights.

Other notable performances included Ruairidh Reid (second, boys Under 14 single scull); Robbie Waddell (fourth, junior Under 15 single sculls); Chris Hartley (fourth, men's restricted two single sculls); Eleanor Culley (third, women's junior Under 16 single sculls); Gordon Henderson (second, older masters single sculling); Melissa McGarva and Isla MacCallum (third and fourth in the women's junior Under 15 single sculls).

COLD, wet conditions failed to dampen the enthusiasm of the record entry for the Bonfire Night double header of the Durham round of the Northern Rowing Council's Long Distance Sculling Series (LDS) and Durham Autumn Small Boats Head (SBH), organised by Durham Amateur Rowing Club.

Then they carried off the trophy for the most wins in the men's novice double sculls in the 2006 Autumn Series of Sculling events in the northern region.

One of those rowers tipped for glory during the Games is Hexham-based Matt Wells, a bronze medal winner in the double scull at the 2008 Beijing Olympics along with Stephen Rowbotham - the first British men's sculling medal since the 1976 Games.

In the morning, 145 crews competed in the Tees Long Distance Sculling Race.

The Hylton Long Distance Sculling Race held at the weekend was run by City of Sunderland Rowing Club and was the penultimate event in this annual six race series promoted by The Northern Rowing Council.

Sunny conditions, perfect for sculling, greeted oarsmen on the Wansbeck for the Wansbeck Scullers Head.

Chris Kenyon, a Tees RC member but these days sculling in Bideford Reds' colours, once again had a rewarding day after his long journey north from Devon to keep up his record of competing in every sculling race in the autumn sculling series on the Tyne since 1968.

Adam, sculling with great determination in the re-row, could not find the extra effort needed to clinch victory.

John Green, sculling at veteran G, was second in 2:23.2, while Gill Stiller was second in the women's novice single sculls in 24:23.2.

This Saturday, Tees Rowing Club is hosting two major sculling and rowing events at the River Tees Water Sports Centre.