THOUSANDS of rowers are expected to take to the water this weekend for one of the North’s premier events.

The 185th Durham Regatta takes place on Saturday and Sunday as around 550 crews battle it out on the River Wear.

The event, which is the second oldest regatta in the country, sees around 2,000 people taking part.

This year’s event will feature the Boat Race of the North, an annual competition between Durham and Newcastle universities, which had been scheduled to take place in March but was cancelled because of bad weather.

Colin Lawson, from Durham Amateur Rowing Club (Darc), which organises the regatta, said: “Newcastle will be confident having taken the Victor Ludorum award at the BUCS Regatta in May while Durham will be buoyed by recent success at Eton Dorney in the Metropolitan Regatta.

“With both clubs building towards Henley, an exciting contest is in prospect between two of the UK’s leading universities.”

The two university’s men’s and women’s eights will be going head to head on a 700metre course, starting at 1.30pm on Saturday.

On Saturday, crews will be racing over a 700m short course, while on Sunday a small number of events are scheduled over a more challenging 1800m course, which sees them taking on the challenge of racing through the narrow arches of Elvet Bridge.

Mr Lawson added: “The event draws the best rowers from clubs, schools and colleges in the region and beyond, and is a major event in the calendar for university crews as they prepare for Henley in July.”

As usual, there will be a variety of entertainment on the riverbank, as well as the classic car rally on the field next to the cricket pitch at the racecourse.

Entertainment includes music by bands from Durham Music Service, the Durham University Brass Band and Pittington Brass Band.

Bell and Bullock will be performing street theatre throughout both days, and there will be Punch and Judy shows, face painting, funfair rides, a magician, and Jesse Ward the Bubbleologist.

There will also be a selection of bars and food outlets.

Gates are open from 8am to 8pm on both days and admission is £5 for adults and £2 for concessions.

Rowers from Team Tyne Innovation, who are taking part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge later this month, will also be there and will be taking part in a row past on Sunday.