A ROWING club has named three new boats which have been bought thanks to the legacy of one of its former long-standing members.

Durham Amateur Rowing Club ( Darc) bought the new boats in part from the bequest of former captain Kim Metcalfe, who had a long association with the club, and died in 2013.

The boats –Darc Side of the Moon, Darc Legacy and Great White Darc –were named at a ceremony at the club in Green Lane, Durham.

George Adair, club captain, said: “Kim Metcalfe had a massive influence on the membership. He was an excellent oarsman but also a great coach and one who could offer advice and guidance in an approachable way.

“He would work with every section of the club so the legacy was partly monetary but mainly his effect in general around the club and the legacy he left behind in memories and advice.”

Mr Metcalfe rowed for Darc during the 1960s and 70s, forming a successful partnership with John Appleby in the pair, before going on to success in veterans and masters competition, winning at the World Masters Championships at Strathclyde Park in 1988 and again in 2005, and winning several National Masters titles in the pair, four and eight.

He was also an ambassador for the club as a coach and was an advocate of the Explore Rowing movement introduced by British Rowing in 2010 to integrate new recruits into the sport.

His son Alex and brother Phil Metcalfe had the honour of naming Darc Legacy, while Great White Darc was named by last year’s junior captain Harry Coe, and Darc Side of the Moon by women’s vice-captain Alison Danforth.

The naming ceremony was followed by a row past of the three boats, with crews selected to reflect the diversity of the membership.

Darc Legacy was crewed by long-standing club members John Appleby and Hazel Stainforth, who are part of the masters squad which competes nationally and internationally.

Ella Sampson, Adam Morris, Katie Strangward and Sam Taylor , who are part of the club’s junior squad made up the crew for Great White Darc, while Darc Side of the Moon was crewed by Gabrielle Maxfield, Alison Danforth, Vickie Sincock and Beth Holmes, representing the women’s squad.

The acquisition of the new boats marks a major addition to the fleet prior to the commencement of a project to refurbish the boathouse, and comes in time for their use during the autumn heads racing season, which starts this month.