Appeal to dredge river for regatta boats

The 192nd Durham Regatta was held at the weekend

Regatta organisers are looking to dredge a river, after low water levels damaged boats.

Durham Regatta competitors reported boats hitting the river bed and fins being broken off as they made their way along the River Wear.

Organisers said they had permission to carry out dredging to alleviate the effects of silt accumulating in the river, but they needed about £125,000 to reach their funding target to pay for the work by a private contractor.

They hope to raise the money by crowdfunding. The Environment Agency confirmed Durham Rowing Club had a permit to dredge a section of the Wear, subject to submission of an approved method statement.

Any work needed to be undertaken in line with the conditions of the permit to protect the environment, a spokesperson added.

The 192nd Durham Regatta was held at the weekend, with thousands of visitors flocking to the city.

Nigel van Zwanenberg, who has organised the regatta over the years, said future events on the river were in jeopardy.

"We wouldn't want to lose it," he said.

One team's fin was broken off after it hit the river bed

Mr van Zwanenberg said: "In hot summers there will not be enough water to row.

"You would be able to walk your dog across."

At this year's event, competitors said the water was "very shallow".

Durham University rower Jacob Popoff said his team's boat had come in contact with the bottom of the river, and that their fin was hit.

Steven Thompson from Lambton Rowing Club added that dredging would also benefit rowing clubs further down the river.