Update - Saturday 26th July

   The longship's mast will now be stepped on Monday 28th July following an inspection by the Norwegian Maritime Agents and we then plan to offer tours on Tuesday 29th, Wednesday 30th, Thursday 31st, Friday 1st on the hour, from 10am with the final tour at 3pm, at £5 per adult. In the meantime, you are welcome to view the ship from the quayside when the yellow signs are displayed outside the rowing club gates, and a Draken crew member should be on hand to answer any questions.

To make a booking, please email mail@lvrc.co.uk with the number of visitors in your group and the tour time you would like, and we will reply with confirmation or, if that particular tour is full, then with an alternative slot.

Could you please note the following:

  • Access to the ship is via a gangway, and not suitable for wheelchairs, however viewing from the quayside is possible
  • You are reminded that the quay and ship are a working area. Surfaces underfoot are uneven with many levels, and there are no rails on the quayside
  • The ship will be tarred, so suitable footwear and old clothing are advised
  • Children under the age of sixteen must be accompanied by an adult at all times
  • The rowing club reserves the right to refuse entry without reason
  • Parking for Blue badges holders will be found at the Rowing Club. Please ensure your badge is visible in the windscreen before you arrive at the gates
Unfortunately, we are unable to offer parking, and recommend that you park at Birkenhead North and walk over to the club (about 7 minutes).

Further details are available at Draken Harald Harfarge and for any enquiries plesae email mail@lvrc.co.uk

You can also get a good view of the longship from the Penny Bridge.

Thank you for your patience and you will understand that the replacement of the mast takes priority over everything else.

 

 Draken Harald the Fairhair Longship - Revised activities

The 35 metre longship is currently having its mast repaired at Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club at West Float, Wallasey. The longship leaves on Sunday 3rd August 2014 and will be entering the River Mersey from Alfred Dock around 1200 hours subject to the agreement of the Captain. The ship will move down towards the Tranmere Oil Terminal, then turn to cross over to the Liverpool side of the river and stop in front of the International Cruise Terminal, where Voyager the newest acquisition of the Voyages of Discovery's Cruise Line will be moored. The Voyager is 152.5 metres in length with a gross tonnage of 15,271 tons. The opportunity to take some great photographs from the Wallasey side of the river, when the Viking Longship is in front of the Three Graces should not be missed.

Prior to the Viking longship's departure, opportunities to view the ship, but not to go on board, will be made available and notices will appear on the LVRC web site. There will also be two distinctive Yellow road signs placed outside the rowing club gates to advise everybody that non booking viewing is in action. Please note that children under sixteen will not be allowed onto the dock estate unless accompanied by an adult. The rowing club reserves the right to refuse entry without giving any reasons.

The on board visits will be available on a pre-booked basis via the rowing club web site. Please keep checking the web site for the date and time when this will be opened and full details of all the days when on board viewing will be offered. This will be linked to the successful refitting of the new mast which is progressing very well.

Please note that there are no guard rails at the waterfront only fencing and plastic barriers.

Please note that there is no car parking available at the rowing club but there is only a seven minute walk from Birkenhead North Railway Station where there is a free park & ride facility. Should that be full you may park on Beaufort Road.

The visit coincides with this year's St. Olav's Day Wirral Viking Heritage Walk & Pilgrimage - for details see www.nottingham.ac.uk/-sczsteve

Monday 28th July 12noon to 4pm - St. Olav's Wirral Viking walk & pilgrimage, Day 1 (St. Bridgets, West Kirby to St. Mary & St. Helen, Neston - 9 miles)

Tuesday 29th July (St. Olav's Day)10am to 3pm - St. Olav's Wirral Viking walk Day 2 (National Waterways Museum Ellesmere Port to St. Olave's Church, Chester - 9 miles)

For St. Olav's Viking Heritage walk - see www.nottingham.ac.uk/-sczsteve and links


Steve Harding & Jim Bibby 22.07.14

 

You can follow the progress on the new mast and find details of the planned tours here Draken Harald Hårfagre

      Read all about the arrival of the Draken Harald Hårfagre in the Liverpool Echo - Viking Longship arrives in Merseyside after treacherous voyage

Click here for the news item when a group of the Liverpool Victoria Rowing Club Viking rowers travelled to Norway and took part in the first sea trials rowing the Draken Harald Hårfager Granada News 12th June 2013

 

You can see also see where the ship is right now by following this link to Live Marine Traffic.

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Rowing: an Oarsome Sport!

Whether you're an experienced oarsperson or wanting to try it for the first time, rowing is a great sport and we'd love for you to join us at the Vics. We have superb boathouse facilities and an out-of-the-ordinary stretch of water along the West Float.

If you're new to the sport then we offer regular adult induction programmes and if
you are interested in trying out rowing and would like to put your name down
for the next induction programme, please contact us at intro@lvrc.co.uk with your name, address and telephone number.

If you have rowed before then, depending on age and ability, you're welcome to
join one of our men's or women's squads. Each squad has a dedicated, qualified
coach who can help you achieve your goals, whether they are for improving
technique, increasing fitness or success in competition.

If you are under 18 then we have a growing and successful Junior Squad, details of which can be found here.

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  Adult members; contact any one of the Captaincy team for details on how to join our private Facebook group.  Share rowing photographs, coaching tips, social event information and stay in touch!