Durham Amateur Rowing Club welcomed back two former club athletes who have gone on to represent Cambridge in the Boat Race and Lightweight Boat Race. 

Both Matthew Edge and Sam Taylor learned to row at Durham ARC, spending four years rowing and competing for the club before they left to attend Cambridge University.

This March, both young rowers competed in the Boat Race - an annual set of rowing races between Cambridge and Oxford Universities.

The pair returned to Durham Amateur Rowing Club to present their former team with a pair of blades, dedicated in memory of Matthew's mum, Irena Lentowicz, who died in 2020. 

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The Northern Echo: Sam Taylor (R) and Matthew Edge (L).Sam Taylor (R) and Matthew Edge (L). (Image: Durham ARC)

Matthew, who is studying for a PhD in Chemistry at St Catherine’s College, represented Cambridge for three years in the lightweight race before transitioning to the openweight Blue Boat this season for the main event.

Matthew is the first ever Cambridge rower to go transition from lightweight to openweight in just one year.

The Boat Race 2023 saw the Cambridge crew beat their rivals Oxford by 1 1/3 lengths through varying conditions on the 4.25-mile course.

Sam Taylor, who studies Materials Science at Clare College, earned his place in the lightweight boat this year. This year, the Cambridge crew succeeded in beating Oxford by 11 lengths. 

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Both men assisted in a historic win for Cambridge over all 2023 Boat Race fixtures; winning Men's, Men's Lightweight, Women's and both reserve races.

The Edge Family have kindly donated a set of double blades for use by top junior crews in memory of Irena Lentowicz - Matt's mum who died in 2020.

A spokesperson for Durham ARC said: "Irena was a great supporter at all junior events either on river banks at local races or working hard in the kitchen at home events - a great friend to the club."

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Matthew and Sam were welcomed back to the club by Captain Anna Golightly, who presented the blades to the club. The blades were then dedicated to Irena by Matthew with prosecco before they were given their first outing by Matthew and Sam in the sunshine.

Anna Golightly, Durham ARC Captain, said: “A great crowd of Durham ARC members and supporters of all ages gathered to congratulate the men on their recent wins and thank the Edge family for their donation. The members were also keen to see the men back rowing on the River Wear again, even if brief.

“The blade donation will be used by the club to encourage junior members to further perform at national events. Sam and Matt are great role models to the current and future junior members cohort.”