Rowing: Indoor and Adaptive Championships 2026-27

BUCS event categories on offer:

• Championship 2000m (Open & Women’s)
• Championship 250m Sprint (Open & Women’s)
• Championship Lightweight 2000m (Open & Women’s)
• Championship Adaptive 1000m (Open & Women’s)
• Beginner 1000m (Open & Women’s)

Team (Open and Women’s) is determined by an institution’s top four placings across all event categories.

A competitor is a Lightweight if their weight does not exceed 75 kg (Open) or 61.5 kg (Women)

Please see Appendix 1 and Reg 6 for available BUCS Points.

In relation to REG 6.1.2.1.10, the following benchmark times will be used:

Beginner categories are only open to student-athletes who have taken up the sport on the water (regardless of their discipline) after 1 June of the preceding academic year.

To apply for the BUCS categories, all eligible competitors must follow these steps:

1. Competitor to apply to the event on BUCS Play (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
2. Institution administrator approves entry (Instructions on how to do this can be found here)
3. BUCS approves/denies entry into competition and publishes confirmed entry list

Any data will be handled in accordance with BUCS Privacy Policy

By participating in this event you agree to adhere to BUCS General Event Disclaimer

To check whether you are eligible to compete in BUCS competitions, please visit REG 4 Individual Eligibility.

BUCS General Rules and Regulations

BUCS Rowing Rules and Regulations

All competitors should be familiar with and understand available gender categories and regulations under REG 4.3. Please find further information on gender eligibility here.

Individuals with a current British Rowing Adaptive Rowing (AR) Classification (AR1/AR2/AR3) or an internationally recognised Para Rowing (PR) Classification (PR1/PR2/PR3) can enter the Open or Women's Adaptive categories as applicable. Such individuals must provide their classification when entering and will have their results collated and ranked on a multi-classification basis based on % Gold Medal Time (GMT).

Please see Appendix 1 and REG 6.1.2.1.10 for BUCS Points in relation to how BUCS Points are applied to Indoor Adaptive Rowing.

Information on classifications and how to get classified can be found here.

Please see REG 7.9 for our withdrawal policy

Once results have been collated across all regional events, BUCS will post medals to successful institutions. Please speak with your institution administrator for more information.

BUCS Entry Opening Date:

Tuesday 15 September 2026

BUCS Entry Closing Dates:

Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 29 October 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Additional Events:

In addition to the BUCS events, the University of Leeds will also be offering to non-students 2000m, 250m sprint events. There will also be 2000m relays for teams of 4 in Open, Women’s and Mixed. These are not BUCS competitions and therefore will not be associated with BUCS Points or medals. The entry process for these categories will be determined by University of Leeds.

Timetable:

9-10am - Registration

10-12:30 - Championship 2000m

12:30-14:00 - Beginner & Championship Adaptive 1000m

14:-14:30 - Championship 250m Sprint

14:30-15:30 - 2000m Relays

Registration:

Registration will be at the registration desk near the entrance to Sports Hall 1 A.

Parking & Public Transport:

There is ample parking available in the orange zone on campus, this include both outside The Edge Sports Centre and the nearby multistorey car park. The university uses ANPR and pay on exit, a code for 3 hours free can be obtained within the sport centre.

https://estates.leeds.ac.uk/our-services/car-parking/visitor-parking/#public-info

The sports centre is approximately a 15 minute walk from both Leeds Train Station, and Leeds Bus Station (with closer bus stops also)

Changing Facilities & Access:

Multiple changing rooms are available on sight including gender neutral changing spaces/toilets. The closest changing rooms to the sports hall are on the corridor leading to it.

Sports Hall 1A has normal access down a corridor with a few steps, those requiring step free access will be able to get through sports hall 2 to access sports hall 1.

Food & Drink:

There is a water fountain directly opposite the doors to the sports hall.

Vending machines are available within the sports centre reception area. Nearby shops include a Tesco Express and a Coop within the students union or the university refectory for a wide range of food.

A bake sale will be provided in the sports hall.

Presentations:

Local event medals will be provided for top 3 in each event at the event immediately following the last race regardless of if BUCS or non-student entry.

Host Website: 

Link to the Leeds event website can be found here

BUCS Entry Opening Date:

Tuesday 15 September 2026

BUCS Entry Closing Dates:

Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 22 October 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Additional Events:

Portsmouth University will also be offering the 4 x 250m relay (mixed) and 4 x 500m relay competition (mixed). These are not BUCS competitions and therefore will not be associated with BUCS Points or medals. Entries for relays will be via a card machine on the day, entry per relay team at £12, or £3 per athlete.

Timetable:

9:30 – BUCS Registration

10:00 – 10:45  Open weight and lightweight Open 2k’s

10:45 – 11:15 Open weight and lightweight Women’s 2k’s

11:15 – 11:35 Open beginner 1k’s & Open adaptive 1k’s

11:35 – 11:55 Women’s and beginner 1k’s & Women’s adaptive 1k’s

12:00 – 12:20 4 x 500m Relays

12:30 Regional athletes' arrival

12:45 – 13:15 Open 2k’s

13:15 – 13:45 Women’s 2k’s

13:45 - 14:15 Open 1k’s

14:15 – 14:45 Women’s 1k’s

15:00 4 x 250m Relays

15:30 Regional Presentations

Registration:

Once arrived at Ravelin sports centre, follow the signs up the stairs to the first floor, and into sports hall 1. There will be a desk set up with a member of UPRC ready to register athletes as they walk in. If there are lightweight athletes; weigh in will be in the teaching room opposite.

Parking:

There is pay and display parking along Museum Road, situated behind Ravelin Sports Centre. These spaces are £5.80 for 4 hours. There is also parking underneath Ravelin Sports Centre, including disabled spaces, though these are limited. These spaces are £6 for four hours.

Changing Facilities & Access:

Changing facilities are located opposite the sports hall, there are mixed gendered cubicles, and female and male changing facilities too. The Sports Hall can be accessed via the lift, and from then on, the changing facilities are step free.

Food & Drink:

Food and drink can be purchased from the cafe downstairs, which has a Starbucks and provides sandwiches, sweet treats and post gym protein hits. There is also a Tesco Express that is a two-minute walk away from the sports centre.

Host Website: 

Link to the Portsmouth event website can be found here

BUCS Entry Opening Date:

Tuesday 15 September 2026

BUCS Entry Closing Dates:

Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 22 October 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Additional Events:

Cardiff University will also be offering the 4 x 500m relay competition (Open & Women’s). This is not a BUCS competition and therefore will not be associated with BUCS Points or medals. 

Entry for the 4 x 500m relay will be done on the day. The competition is intended to be ran as a Open & Women’s event, however numbers may also permit a “Mixed” category as well. The Entry fee will be £8 per team of 4 athletes. Teams must be made up of 4 athletes who must all row 500m each.

Timetable:

Provisional timetable

9:00 Arrive

9:30 Competitor Briefing

10:00 Women’s Beginner + Adaptive 1000m Races

11:00 Open Beginner + Adaptive 1000m Races

12:00 Women’s Championship + Lightweight 2000m Races

13:00 Open Championship +Lightweight 2000m Races

14:00 Open & Women’s 4x500m Relay Races

14:45 Prize Giving

Registration:

Within the Sports hall there will be a table with a banner marked “Registration”. All competitors will register there.

Parking:

There is a car park in the Talybont village.

Changing Facilities & Access:

Changing facilities are provided within the venue and will be labelled and signposted during the event. Gender neutral facilities are available. Alternative access to the venue is also provided.

Food & Drink:

There will be a bake sale hosted by Cardiff University Rowing Club as well as a Tesco, Gregs and other shops within a 5 minute walk.

Host Website: 

Link to the Cardiff event website can be found here

BUCS Entry Opening Date:

Tuesday 22 September 2026

BUCS Entry Closing Dates:

Tuesday 27 October 2026 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 29 October 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Additional Events:

The University of Birmingham will also be offering open, beginner and mixed heat relays. These are not BUCS competitions and therefore will not be associated with BUCS Points or medals. The relays will be over a 4000m distance for open and women’s events. Beginner relays will be 3000m distance. Relay ‘teams’ can consist of up to 4 people.

Entries for said relays will be processed by the UBBC committee on the day and we will not be taking pre-bookings for any relay events.

Timetable:

• Arrival time: 12:00
• Lightweight weigh-ins open: 12:15
• Racing begins: 13:00

Race Schedule - BUCS Events

• 13:00 – Open Championship BUCS Heats
• 13:30 – Women’s Championship BUCS Heats
• 14:00 – Open Lightweight BUCS Heats
• 14:30 – Open Beginner BUCS Heats
• 15:10 – Women’s Beginner BUCS Heats
• 15:50 – Open 250m Sprint BUCS Heats

Race Schedule - Relays

• 16:30 – Open & Women’s Relays
• 16:50 – Beginner Relay
• 17:10 – Mixed Relay

Registration:

Registration will be just inside the competition area. On Arriving at Sport and Fitness the hall entrance is on your left-hand side before the barriers to the left of reception.

Parking:

Minibus/coaches would should use North Gate Car Park (B15 2SA) where Car Parking is free.
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Please note that the University of Birmingham is a sustainable campus and we are encouraging that all travelling teams travel to Birmingham in sustainable ways, for information on this please click the link: Sustainable travel (birmingham.ac.uk) . This includes by train with the University having its own station with travel just seven minutes from Birmingham New Street.

Alternatively, there is on campus parking, and this is paid for using the Ring Go app for just £3.50. This is however limited and on a first come first serve basis. Access to campus is off Bristol Road and Edgbaston Park Road. Sport and Fitness Car Park cannot be used without prior permission

Changing Facilities & Access:

2 x 2 Women and 2 Men group change on the ground floor of the building along the corridor behind the reception Barriers

There are single-sex facilities and inclusive and gender-neutral changing and showering facilities in the dry area. 

Food & Drink:

Costa on Site on the right-hand side on arriving in Sport and Fitness. Within a few minutes’ walk to multiple small supermarkets including Tesco express, Sainsburys and Aldi

We may also provide some food and drink in the arena depending on numbers, but participants should note that these will be primarily snacks/drinks and shouldn’t rely on this for their day’s food.

Host Website: 

Link to the Birmingham event website can be found here

BUCS Entry Opening Dates:

Tuesday 6th October 2026

BUCS Entry Closing Dates:

Tuesday 20 October 2026 at 23:59 – Student / Competitor Deadline

(Students / Competitors must apply by this deadline)

Thursday 22 October 2026 at 23:59 – Institution Administrator Deadline

(Institutional Administrators are given 48 hours after the student / competitor deadline to approve entries)

Additional Events:
Heriot-Watt University will also be offering the following competitions:

• 1000m Doubles Race (Open and Woman’s)
• 500m Cox’s Sprint 
• 2000m (Open & Women’s)
• 1000m Beginner (Open & Women’s)
• 1000m Adaptive
• 250m Sprint (Open and Women’s)
• 2000m Relay (Mixed four person teams, distance distribution up to participants)
• Triple R – 1km run, 1km row, 1km run

These are not a BUCS competitions and therefore will not be associated with BUCS Points or medals. 

The entry process for this category will be determined by Heriot-Watt University. Individual entries to be submitted via Microsoft forms and club entries collected by an excel form.

Entry to and individual 2k/1k event gives free entry to relay event. Entries to be £5 per race, except 
for relays which will be £10 per team and the Triple-K event will priced at £10 per person. 

Timetable:

Registration:

Rowers should report to Sports Hall 2 within the Oriam for registration

Parking:

There is a large car park outside of the Oriam. Additional parking available in car parks H and J (well sign posted). Parking is free.

Changing Facilities / Disability Access:

Mens and women’s toilet and changing facilities located just outside of the sports hall. Gender neutral and accessible bathrooms are located within the Oriam a short walk from the sports hall 

Food / Drink:

Food and drink can be purchased from the cafe within the Oriam. There is also a shop on campus approximately 5 minutes walk away 

Host Website:

Link to the Heriot-Watt's event website can be found here

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event. Once you have completed the form, please go to the BUCS Desk at the event to receive your media accreditation.

BUCS reserves the right to prohibit photography equipment being used at a BUCS event. BUCS reserves the right to request that the individual ceases to take photographs, deletes any images and, if considered necessary, leaves the venue.

If you wish to take photos or videos at this event, please contact the BUCS Event Lead. 

BUCS’ mission is to provide exceptional student sporting experiences that inspire, develop and unite.

Critical to our success is our commitment to always providing safe, friendly and enjoyable environments for all participants. Whether competing, coaching, officiating, volunteering, working or spectating at these events, the welfare of all is critical to our mission.

To find out more or report a concern, please click here.

The sustainability of our event matters to us and these are the positive steps we are taking to manage our environmental impact:

• All staff and volunteers are encouraged to travel to the event via public transport
• We have used local suppliers where possible
• Event programmes are all online, minimising paper use
• We will print on demand merchandise (if applicable)
• We are beginning to track our carbon footprint across BUCS events to identify areas of improvement.

How can you help at this event? Here’s some ideas:

• Be self-sufficient by bringing your own refillable bottles and coffee cups to reduce waste
• Ensure you are disposing of waste correctly – Check around the venue for specific recycling and food waste bins
• Travel smarter – as a team on a minibus, cycle or use public transport
• Go paperless - use your phone for all event information

All questions should in the first instance should be directed to your Institution Administration.