Yare Cup rowing event set to be biggest yet

Expectations are high that this year's Yare Cup rowing event will be the biggest yet after organisers introduced a new category to attract even more competitors.

Hundreds of rowers from across the region are training hard for the 4km rowing and sculling event, which will take place on Saturday, September 23, on the River Yare between The Water's Edge pub in Bramerton and Whitlingham Green.

And the race organisers – Yare Boat Club, in Norwich – are hoping that this year's event will be the biggest yet, thanks to the introduction of a special category for those who are new to rowing.

While most crews will require British Rowing membership in order to compete, anyone racing in this new category will be able to get a taste of the action, without needing to pay out for a subscription to the national rowing body.

Rod Wood, chairman of the Yare Cup Organising Committee, said he was expecting this decision to result in even more entries than usual.

He added: 'The Yare Cup Small Boats Head race is always a fantastic spectacle for both competitors and those watching from the river banks. We always seem to get great weather and the water is perfect for racing.'

Crews will be able to enter for a wide number of different boats, including quads and fours, doubles and pairs and singles. And the race will also be held over two separate divisions - in the morning and afternoon – so crews can have twice the chance of bagging a winner's trophy.

The rowing club, which proportionally has the most winners during the day will also take the much-coveted Yare Cup award back to their boathouse.

Mr Wood said: 'There are a number of different categories to race in and therefore a number of prizes to be won. We are hoping all the local clubs will enter as many crews as they can.'

For more details about this year's Yare Cup – Small Boats Head race visit www.yareboatclub.org.uk.