After receiving sad news yesterday of the death of the Pearson brothers, It
was with great sadness that I learned this morning of the death of Chaura
Pratchek,aged I believe 74. Another of the 'gentlemen' of Northern rowing.
Chaura started his rowing career at Durham School, (in the same crew as Eric
Halliday.) I learned in my conversations with him that he rowed at a high
level whilst at Jesus College, before a back injury stopped him competing.
Chaura returned to Durham rowing in the early seventies and coached many
crews at Durham ARC, the most notable in my view was the Durham ARC ladies
four (it included my future wife Joy ) which in 1977 was unbeaten in
regattas up and down the country, a gold medal at National Championships
just eluded them when the GB squad entered a crew - they came away with
silver and a place on the Home Countries Team. Chaura was also captain at
Durham ARC.
I am pleased to say that I benefitted from his coaching whilst in a single,
I found him to be a practical and innovative coach. Latterly he was coach at
University College Durham and his crews were easily recognisable by the
distinctive style and technique he taught, usually after many patient hours
coaching in a tub pair. Tubbing on the River Wear will never be the same
again!
I would often meet him on the towpath whilst we were both coaching and he
always took time to stop and discuss Durham 'rowing matters' and give me his
valued observations on the crews and scullers in my charge. (Even then he
was still coaching me!).
Chaura was a retired Lecturer in Art at Hartlepool College, he could be seen
on the riverbank on his 'customised' coaching cycle, handpainted in his club
colours and he usually sported a cap and blazer (in the summer) and a
handpainted metal megaphone. Many members of Durham will know of his pottery
expertise, one year he produced the presentation prizes for Wear Regatta.
Chaura was a Town member of Durham regatta, until a few years ago a
registered umpire and only this year saw him in the judges box at Durham
Regatta.
I am pleased to have known Chaura, a good friend who influenced my rowing
and coaching, he lived life to the full, he will be missed by many.
Alan Granlund




_________________________________________________________________
Surf together with new Shared Browsing
http://join.msn.com/?page=features/browse&pgmarket=en-gb&XAPID=74&DI=1059