April Fools: No beach in Henley, but plenty of racing this summer!

Take on the waves in Bournemouth at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships, trial for the GB Beach Sprint Team and plan your summer racing

April Fools!

No, Henley Royal Regatta won’t be building a beach off Temple Island, but that doesn’t mean you can’t race Beach Sprints this summer.

British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships – 4-6 September 2026

Last year we hosted our largest ever Beach Sprint Championships with the number of competitors over 175% higher than the previous year. This year is set to be even bigger, as the event expands into a third day on Bournemouth beach.

Last year some of the most exciting races were the Mixed Quads, which will return again in 2026. Whilst crews may enter these categories as normal, the event will once again be offering the opportunity for individuals to enter a “seat” in a crew – giving even more opportunity for people to race. Last year’s racing saw a mix of people trying coastal sculling for the first time up to World Champions taking part!

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2026 British Rowing Championships

Event	Dates	Venue
Junior Inter-Regional Regatta	Saturday, 25 April 2026	Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottingham
British Rowing Masters Championships	Saturday, 13- Sunday, 14 June 2026	Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottingham
British Rowing Club Championships	Friday, 17- Monday, 20 July 2026	Holme Pierrepont Country Park, Nottingham
British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships	Friday, 4- Sunday, 6 September 2026	Bournemouth
British Rowing Indoor Championships & Super Sprint Sunday	Saturday, 5- Sunday 6 December 2026	NEC, Birmingham

Henley Women’s Regatta – 19 – 21 June 2026

Continuing its work to provide a world-class racing experience for women, Henley Women’s Regatta has this year announced the creation of two new events for aspirational academic and club quadruple sculls.

With The Chairman’s Trophy for aspirational quadruple sculls proving to be one of the most popular events at the regatta in recent years, the event will be split in 2026, with competitors from universities and other academic institutions now competing for The Nina Padwick Trophy. Meanwhile, The Chairman’s Trophy will be awarded to the winning aspirational club quadruple sculls crew.

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Henley Royal Regatta – 30 June to 5 July 2026

In a final step towards gender parity, Henley Royal Regatta recently announced  the names of the three new Women’s quadruple sculls events in the Intermediate, Club and Student Categories at the 2026 Regatta, two of which will carry royal titles following approval from Buckingham Palace.

Find out more about The Princess of Wales Challenge Cup, The Danesfield Challenge Cup and The Queen Victoria Challenge Cup!

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Trial for the GB Beach Sprint Team

Interested in trialing for the GB Beach Sprint Team? With three Beach Sprint events added to the 2028 Olympic Games programme in Los Angeles, there has never been a better chance to get in, learn fast and progress onto representing your country at the highest level.

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