The Start Line: The long awaited return of English Indoors

September 5, 2025

Get ready for more racing this weekend across the UK

Credit: AllMarkOne

Join us at The Start Line and look ahead to a belter of a few days of racing on the water and indoor this weekend

English Indoor Rowing Championships back after four-year break

One of the UK’s premier indoor rowing events is making its long-awaited comeback. The English Indoor Rowing Championships returns this weekend, hosted at Bolton Arena, and for the first time in its history, it will run alongside the legendary Rainhill Trials with more than 220 athletes taking part.

This exciting double-header promises an unmissable day of athleticism, energy, and elite competition. Whether you’re chasing a PB, climbing the podium, or soaking up the electric atmosphere, this is a championship not to be missed. Athletes from across the UK and beyond will battle it out on the Concept2 Rower, pushing their limits in speed, stamina, and teamwork. Across the day, we’ll see racing over 2000m, 500m, and the 3000m team relay event. It’s the perfect way to see where you stack up against the field with three months to go until the British Rowing Indoor Championships.

There will be plenty of record holders and British Champions making the trip to Bolton, of which is Roger Stainforth. After winning the 2,000m and 500m events in the 80-84 age category at BRIC last year, he’s back to give it another crack and we’ll see him in action in race three. One race before him in the men’s 40-49 2ooom Ian Wilde will take to the race floor. The stalwart of Sub 7 IRC has just set a new PB and is in fine form ahead of the English Champs. Keep an eye on the race floor throughout the morning because the great racing will continue to come thick and fast. We’ll see the 100m world record holder Loïc Schalbetter in action over 2000m as well as British interest in the form of Pippa Biggs and Meg Knight in the Women’s 19-29 2000m. British Rowing Master Trainer and one of the faces of ROW31, Cat Trentham returns to racing in a packed 30-39 Lightweight Women’s 2000m field. Over the years, Trentham has set 12 world records on the Concept2 and RP3.

As usual, the 500m racing is set to be electric. Commentator Jon Goodall is entered into the Open 50-59 event, while Tereza Horejsova will be one to watch in the Women’s 40-49 event. Race 12 has a fully loaded race floor and expect fireworks across the Open 19-29 and 30-39 500m. The 2024 BRIC silver and bronze medallists Chris Scott and Freddie Stuart will face off against each other once more, while Schalbetter, who was 1.3s back on Stuart in Birmingham will look to flip the script from last year’s racing.

Rate 11 2ks and sub 1:15 500s: How Chris Scott is preparing for the English Indoors

More information about the English Indoor Rowing Championships can be found here.

Worcester Autumn Regatta

Worcester Small Boats Head

Ahead of a full day of side by side racing over 800m in the heart of Worcester on the River Severn, Worcester RC’s Charlotte Llewellyn is ready to welcome a bumper entry to the west of England.

“Worcester Autumn Regatta is one of the last of the season and is an opportunity for some side by side racing before the Head season starts. The race takes place downstream over approximately 800m on the River Severn,” she said.

“For some crews it’s the end of a long regatta season and for others it’s that last opportunity to put nerves aside and to have a go at racing, bravo! Those are crews I wish well in particular. A successful race will launch them into winter training with gusto. We’re looking forward to welcoming our visiting clubs and wish all athletes a successful regatta”.

More information about Worcester Autumn Regatta can be found here.

What else is on this weekend?

South Coast Championships – more information
Monster the Loch – more information
RoWindermere – more information
Great Ouse Marathon – more information

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Fergus Mainland sits down with Tomasz Kremer to hear all about his return to rowing, becoming British Champion, and training for a trip to Banyoles next week

Swindon RC with their medals at British Rowing Masters Champs 2025