A New landing post has recently opened at the college of Hild and Bede boat club by alumna and Olympian Lauren Irwin.
The previous Sport, Health and Exercise student, having graduated in 2019, returned to Durham to officially open a new landing stage at her former college, St Hild and Bede. The boat club can be located along the River Wear, in Durham city, and was granted support from a Durham alumnus.
It widens the pre-existing rowing infrastructure available to Durham students, including one of the UK’s only indoor university rowing tanks.
Coaching staff is also a top priority; tailoring their training to suit all abilities, from international to beginner, as part of their widening access to high-performance programmes in the sport.
From St Hild and Bede to Team GB
Lauren, from Peterlee in County Durham, represented Team GB at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games as part of the bronze-medal-winning women’s eight (W8+) rowing team.
She made history as Peterlee’s first Olympian, setting a precedent for the region’s global sportsmanship. She joins a legacy of fellow Durham rowers, including Sophie Hosking MBE, London 2012 gold medallist, and Will Fletcher. Now the University’s Lead Rowing Coach, he competed in the 2016 Rio Olympics.
Transforming from a 14-year-old swimmer to an internationally renowned, medal-winning rower, Lauren is an inspiration for young athletes.
Her achievements include three silver medals at the World Rowing Cup and European Championships, and a bronze in Shanghai’s women’s eight last month.
While at University in Durham, she won gold at the U23 Championships in the women’s four, while volunteering as a junior high performance coach,
Via Instagram @simonforrest_hb_principal
‘Hild Bede will always be in my heart’
Lauren credited Durham University in playing a formidable role in laying the foundations of her rowing career, stating: “The support Hild Bede gave me as I advanced my rowing career had a big impact.”
Durham’s collegiate system served a major part in shaping the beginnings of Lauren’s successes.
She told the University: “I simply wouldn’t be where I am today without the support of my college. From providing me with a home in Durham, to financial assistance too.
“I count myself lucky to have been part of this fantastic community. It’s amazing to be back here to support new rowers in their journeys with the opening of their new landing stage.
“I have lots of happy memories at Durham. Hild Bede will always be in my heart.”
Via Google Maps
‘Symbolic of friendship, fellowship and opportunity’
Simon Forrest, St Hild and Bede’s college principle, commented: Lauren’s journey from Peterlee to the Olympic stage is a powerful example of what can be achieved through talent, dedication and the right support.”
He also noted the landing’s regional importance beyond its practicality, referring not only to its access to the water, but its great offering of “friendship, fellowship and opportunity.” It will indeed set the precedent for many future successes, inspiring a new generation of rowers aiming to follow in Lauren’s footsteps.
Simon celebrated Lauren’s successes as “the pride of Durham”, and eagerly awaits “what the future holds for her.”
Durham is one of the nation’s leading universities for rowing
Namely, the university has an esteemed and reputable history of producing athletes who have competed at both national and international levels, since graduating from Durham.
Lauren’s dedication to this opening ultimately stemmed from her affection for Durham, as well as her college, where she first consolidated her skills as a rower.
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