Download PDF of entry form.

So what is the English Indoor Rowing Championship and where did it come from?

History:

 
The English Indoor Rowing Championship started life as the North of England Indoor Rowing Championship. It was devised by Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club as a means of hosting an event that wasn’t on the water after several regattas had had to be cancelled due to terrible weather. The first event was held in 1998, when there weren’t that many indoor rowing competitions, and it was a success almost straight away.

The first NEIRC was staged at the club house with 10 begged and borrowed rowing machines. About 100 people from various local clubs competed and, despite the rather cramped conditions, there was a fantastic friendly atmosphere and a great time was had by all. Times and things have changed considerably since then. The event is now in the National Cycling Centre (NCC) in Manchester and over 700 people from across the whole country entered the last event in January 2007. However, the friendly atmosphere that made the first event such a success has become the hallmark of the English Indoor Rowing Championship and competitors continue to have a great time.

In 2006, Steve Redgrave brought his squad of Liverpool 8 novices who were being filmed for a television programme following complete beginners from one of the country’s more deprived areas in their attempt to qualify for Henley Royal Regatta.

People travel the most amazing distances and we are aware of some people who have changed their air-travel arrangements because the event clashed with their annual skiing holiday.

We have also helped to launch some stars onto the circuit. The Armley Indoor Rowing team started at our event, and some have gone on to become British and World Champions. Also Royce Banks and his team of power lifters who challenged and lost to the all-star Leander team at Great Marlow School in the 100,000 metre challenge, and then famously beat them at the return bout at a ballroom just outside Wigan on a wet and windy Sunday afternoon. To see these 18-stone guys taking part in the popular ergo breaking races (500 metre dash) – bending, stretching and tying the machines in knots – is great fun, as long as you can stand well back.

Another sight worth watching (and hearing) is our regular commentator, Nigel Mayglothling, who arrives with 2 minutes to go before the first race and spends 8 hours endlessly talking, cajoling, screaming, encouraging, laughing, bullying, providing background information on competitors, helping people to relax and making it an enjoyable experience. He is worth his weight in gold and Hollingworth Lake Rowing Club is very grateful to Nigel for his support and input to the event. 

Who comes?

English Indoor Rowing Championships 2007

The fastest time of the day was recorded by Nik Fleming in the Men’s Open Hwt event in a time of 6:04:0 having already won the Men’s 30-39 Hwt event in a time of 6:05:8.
Brian Bailey, from Cheltenham had been just outside the 60-69 Lwt World Record at the European IRC the previous month, competing for the first time as a lightweight but in Manchester he smashed Lyle Parker’s long-standing record with a new time of 6:44:1. 

Championship records

As an event we are lucky enough to play host to some of Indoor Rowing’s biggest names, and we have Championship records broken every year. Competitors have also broken British and World Records at the event – a lot of this is down to its slot in the calendar, shortly before the World Indoor Rowing Championships – so it is ideally placed as a ‘last throw of the dice’ for those athletes who are heading off to Boston, Mass. to the Crash B’s – representing Great Britain.

Events on offer

We offer events to Men, Women, Lightweight and not so Lightweight with categories from 11 years old to 70+.
For teams and individuals 2000m, 500m, Junior timed events, 3000m for Teams of 4. There’s something for everyone!!.

Location

Manchester Velodrome National Cycling Centre, Stuart St
Manchester, M11 4DQ

Next event

Sunday 21st February 2010

Download PDF of entry form.