The Start Line: Masters descend on Henley and J16s fly the flag
Get ready for another belter of a weekend of racing in the UK
Credit: Ben Rodford/HMR
Join us at The Start Line and look ahead to a scorching few days of racing across the UK.
All eyes back on Henley for the Masters Regatta
The hallowed waters of Henley just keep on giving. After Henley Women’s Regatta, Henley Royal Regatta, it’s time for Henley Masters Regatta to take centre stage. 2025 is set to be a special year as the usual two days on Friday and Saturday will be followed by half a day of mixed racing on Sunday. The HMR 2025 Mixed event will take place on Sunday from 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. There is be capacity for approximately 60 crews to participate, hence the limited number of events across Mixed Quadruple Sculls and Mixed Eights.
Hosted and run by Upper Thames RC, the regatta has grown into an internationally recognised event for masters crews. Competitors travel from all over the world to compete over 1000 metres on the famous Henley reach. HMR is kindly supported by the The Copas Partnership, without whom the regatta would not be possible.
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Across the two main days of racing, spectators can look forward to 18 hours of action, from 09:00 each day. As usual there is a phenomenal overseas entry including the furthest competitors travelling from New Zealand. West End RC will be one of 10 entries in Women’s Mas D Coxless Quadruple Sculls while their fellow north islanders from Waikato RC are one of nine entries in the Open Mas F DOuble Sculls, an event with entries also from Rome, Minnesota, and Château-Gontier. In total, the 2025 regatta will host a record breaking 1,413 competitors in 438 crews from 172 rowing clubs, including 37 international clubs from 14 countries, such as the USA, Australia, Germany, Italy, France, New Zealand, and Hungary. Races will be held in 81 events across all Masters age categories, from Masters B to Masters J.
British Clubs are also entering en masse. Racing on home water, Upper Thames are fielding 15 boats across a full range of boat classes and age categories, only matched by Tideway Scullers who load up their trailer and head west once again.
After seeing their club mates in action in the Princess Elizabeth Challenge Cup, the gauntlet is passed from the juniors to the masters of Marin Rowing Association, USA. The juniors reached the Friday of HRR before falling to finalists Radley College.
More information about the Henley Masters Regatta can be found here.
J16s ready for first race in red, white, and blue
As fifty-four J16 athletes prepare to race the 43rd GB v France match at the London Regatta Centre this weekend, we spoke to two of the current GB senior squad on their memories of their first step on British Rowing’s Olympic Performance Pathway. For Lizzie and Miles, it was their first opportunity to represent Great Britain and their first experience of international competition.
The nations take turns in hosting this historic event, which this year is being held at the London Regatta Centre, in the shadow of City Airport, in the heart of London’s Docklands on Saturday 12 July 2025. In 2024, GB won four out of the seven Women’s races and six out of the seven Men’s races.
What else is on this weekend?
- Burton Regatta – more information
- Llandaff Regatta – more information
- The Ball Cup North – more information
- England HIR Trials – more information
- Kingston Regatta – more information
“It has really bonded us”: Mother and son race at Henley Royal Regatta
Lizzy of London RC and Felix of Tideway Scullers both qualified their boats for HRR and had the incredible experience of competing in consecutive races down the iconic course.
Social Spotlight: Could you be the next Paralympic Champion?
Get ready for our para recruitment day!
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That’s all from the start line this week!
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