Eight crews make history in third year of the Youth Boat Race

Almost 100 young rowers from fourteen local state schools take to the Thames, racing the iconic Championship Course in front of cheering crowds

On Friday 3 April 2026, eight mixed crews of young rowers drawn from fourteen London state schools took to the Thames for the third annual Youth Boat Race, competing over the opening section of the historic Boat Race Course in one of the most celebrated days in the youth outreach calendar.

Supported by the Oxford and Cambridge Rowing Foundation (OCRF), and hosted by Fulham Reach Boat Club, the event opened the iconic Putney-to-Mortlake course to a new generation, with almost 100 student athletes – many of them brand new to the sport – racing side-by-side on the same stretch of river that hosted the CHANEL J12 Boat Race the next day.

Earlier in the week, Fulham Reach BC also hosted the inaugural Adaptive Boat Race Challenge, where sepsis survivor Becky Coleman rowed the full 6.8km Championship Course in just 33 minutes.

The day began with safety briefings before crews launched from Fulham Reach BC and completed time trials to set the draw for racing, with only eight seconds separating all the crews. Four side-by-side races followed, with the first seeing a brief clash between crews before the racing settled into a thrilling series of contests, where every race finished with crews overlapping.

Every duel was met with roars from over 100 parents, supporters and friends of the schools taking part; a fitting reward for athletes who had trained hard and raced with everything they had.

The Youth Boat Race sat at the heart of a full day of action on the Tideway, with the Lightweight and Veteran Boat Races also taking place on the same day, and Oxford and Cambridge crews practising nearby ahead of Saturday’s event. Parents and supporters could follow the action from along the Fulham embankment, while Channel 4 and FilmNova filmed a segment on the event for their Boat Race day coverage.

For many of the young rowers, simply being on the water was the culmination of months of commitment. For schools new to the event, it was a first taste of competitive rowing; for returning crews, a chance to go one better than the year before. Racing the Championship Course, on the eve of one of sport’s most famous contests, gave every athlete a sense of occasion that extended well beyond the finish line.

The atmosphere along the bank was electric, with supporters, teachers, and local dignitaries cheering the eight crews home. Medal presentations and celebrations rounded off the day – a memorable occasion for athletes, coaches, and schools alike.

Adam Freeman-Pask, CEO of FFulham Reach BC, reflected on the occasion: “The Youth Boat Race is always a great day, and this year was no exception. To see eight crews out on the water, representing their schools and their communities with such pride and determination, is exactly what the Youth Boat Race is all about. This event is a testament to what young people can achieve when they are given the opportunity, the coaching, and the belief that this sport belongs to them too. Every crew on the water today demonstrated our values: teamwork, resilience, and the courage to race. We are incredibly proud of every one of them.”

The Deputy Mayor of Hammersmith and Fulham, Daryl Brown, added: “It’s mesmerising. I’m so impressed by the students. The teamwork they develop on and off the water is so unique, and an opportunity that most of them would never otherwise have.”

A teacher at Hammersmith Academy described the transformation he had witnessed in her students: “They’ve gotten so much more independent and confident through this process. We’re seeing a completely different side to the kids.”

The young athletes themselves were equally enthusiastic. One participant reflected: “It’s really invigorating, and it’s so good because it’s a whole-body sport. It was so nice to get a much closer bond with everyone in our boat. I’m still so excited about today. It was so much fun!”

A parent commented: “The first thing my daughter said to me when I arrived was ‘this makes me want to do more of it’.”

Participating Schools:

• Kensington Aldrige Academy
• Sacred Heart High School
• Hammersmith Academy
• Cardinal Vaughn Memorial School
• Fulham Boys School
• West London Free School
• Fulham Cross Girls School
• Holland Park
• Wimbledon College
• Graveney School
• St Richard Reynolds Catholic College
• Ursuline High School
• Richmond Park Academy
• Newham Schools