Sustainability at the British Rowing Club Championships: Practical steps that you can take in Nottingham (and at home) to protect your waterways
Top tips on how to keep your stretch of water clean and reduce the spread of invasive species
Environmental Sustainability is incredibly important for the future of our sport. Each year at our Championships we take more and more steps to minimise our impact on the planet – from waste disposal to reusing branding and bringing on new partners to help us amplify our vision for clean blue spaces across the country. This year we’re focusing on preventing the spread of invasive non‑native species and practical actions that every crew can take to help protect their waterways.
Thanks to your efforts, we’ve already seen a noticeable improvement at the landing stages – far less litter entering the lake, home to so much wildlife. Thank you for helping us to safeguard this national venue and important blue space.
Check Clean Dry: The priority for 2026
Invasive non‑native species such as Floating Pennywort are one of the biggest threats to rowing venues across the UK. They can survive for weeks in damp areas of boats and shoes, and once introduced, they can make stretches of water unusable.
Please wash down your boat after racing at the Check Clean Dry station next to Registration.
North Wales Wildlife Trust will be on site for all four days to help you clean your boat properly and explain why this matters. This is the single most effective action you can take to protect your home water.
The take-up of the DEFRA survey has been fantastic; if you haven’t filled yours in – you’ve still got time!
Sustainability stand
The Sustainability Stand by the finish tower is a one‑stop hub for safeguarding the waters we row on. Alongside guidance on Floating Pennywort and other invasive species, the stand helps clubs understand who to contact for support with local river or water‑quality issues. We are also showcasing practical action clubs are taking on flood resilience and reducing energy bills.
Plus – free bottles of Delphis Eco’s award‑winning biodegradable, non‑toxic products that help reduce chemical pollution in our rivers – now granted a Royal Warrant of Appointment!
Kitround: Donate good quality kit
Competitors can donate good‑quality second‑hand kit at collection points at Registration and at the event cabin at the bottom of the finish tower. Kitround will sort and resell donated items on a dedicated British Rowing page, with all proceeds going to Love Rowing. Donations from any sport and any type of kit are welcome.
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Supporting clubs beyond the Championships
We’re keen to showcase the great work already happening across our clubs and to help connect sustainability leads with peers facing similar challenges. If your club has a success story to share, or you’re working on an environmental project off the water, stop by the Sustainability Stand – we’d love to have a conversation. Please contact us at [email protected].
