Rowing: Regatta 2025-26

DATES

1-4^th May 2026

VENUE

National Water Sports Centre
Adbolton Lane
Holme Pierrepont
Nottingham
NG12 2LU

Substitutions

All substitutions must be made online, using  https://crews.bucsrowing.org.uk/.

Crews and coaches are reminded that substitutes to a crew must be made before the crew first races.

The purpose of this rule is to ensure fair competition but also, and importantly, safety as, without recorded substitutions, the organisers of the event cannot know who is on the water in the event of an incident.

Under BUCS Rowing Rules disqualification of the whole crew is an available penalty for crews who have not submitted substitutions prior to racing.

Scratches/Withdrawals

Please note that all scratches / withdrawals must be made online by the institution rowing club captain or coach. Crews who do not withdraw, and do not compete at the event, will be classified as a ‘no-show’ and charged the entry fee and an additional £20 fine payable by the athletic union or students’ union as detailed in BUCS Withdrawal Policy.

If a crew wishes to withdraw on the day, they should scratch using the system a minimum of 30 minutes before the published start time of their time trial/first race. Failure to do so may result in the boat being classed as a ‘no-show’ and the additional fine being imposed, as detailed above.

Competitors should also inform their institution they have withdrawn from the competition.

Boat Numbers

1. Time Trial Numbers:

Time trial race numbers will be available for collection from outside the Regatta Marshal’s Hut (in the boating area) from 11:00 on Friday and 07:00 on Saturday/Sunday/Monday.

• Paper numbers are to be worn on the bow crew member’s back (and cox for stern coxed boats). These should be firmly attached to racing kit and visible. Long hair should be tied up so the number is not obscured.

Clubs are required to provide their own safety pins (4 per number).

Slot numbers will also be issued. Please ensure these numbers are returned to the Regatta Marshal’s hut immediately after the time trial.

Failure to suitably display your number may result in no time being taken.

2. Regatta Numbers:

Race numbers for semi-finals/repechages and finals can be collected from the Regatta Marshal's Hut no earlier than 40 minutes before published race start times.

Please ensure numbers are returned to the Regatta Marshal's Hut or into the buckets provided on the pontoons after the crew races.

Boats are required to have suitable fittings to display bow numbers so they can be clearly visible to race officials.

Rules & Regulations

All BUCS Rowing competitions are governed in accordance with the National Governing Body (British Rowing) rules and regulations, unless superseded by a BUCS rule or regulation. The BUCS Rowing rules and regulations should be read in conjunction with the entry and pre-event information.

The latest version of the British Rowing Rules of Racing can be seen here.

The BUCS Regatta Race Committee has the final decision in all sporting competition matters.

Lightweights

Weights

Lightweight Open                                                       72.5                 kg

Lightweight Women                                                   59                    kg

Weigh-in process

• Weigh-in will take place at the bottom of the stairs by the Finish Tower.
• All lightweights will use the official (calibrated) scales for weighing in. Separate scales will be available for test weighing.
• ROW 3.1 Lightweights Lightweight crews are not averaged at any BUCS Rowing Championships.
• ROW 3.2 The lightweight weigh-in will be from two hours before the beginning of the racing day (i.e. the start time of the first time trial) up to one hour prior to the published start time of each category.

• ROW 3.3 If racing in more than one lightweight event on a racing day the individual need only weigh in once.
• If a lightweight competitor is racing in multiple days, they must weigh in each day.
• Where practical, lightweight rowers should present themselves for weigh-in as a complete crew.
• All Lightweight competitors must provide photographic ID at weigh-in
• Clubs will be permitted to weigh-in an eligible reserve within the time frame prescribed in ROW 3.2 and make a subsequent substitution before the crew’s first race if necessary.

Coxes

• Coxes are not required to weigh in for time trials but must do so after qualifying and ahead of side by side racing.
• Weigh-in for coxes will take place in the Regatta Marshal's Hut.
• Coxes not requiring deadweight will be issued a wristband (different colour each day). Coxes requiring deadweight will be expected to supply their own sealed deadweight and will not be issued a wristband.
• Coxes weights: Open & Women’s Crews: 55.0kg.

Boating (Side-by-side racing)

Crews must ensure they boat leaving sufficient time in order to get to the start area with a minimum of 5 minutes before their race. Crews should be attached to the start by 2 minutes before the published start time of their race.

Safety

• Safety guidelines are included within the marshalling instructions for crews and coaches.
• Coxes and crews must be knowledgeable of boating instructions, the course, their crew's ability, weather conditions and safety procedures. It is recommended that beginner coxes do not cox beginner crews.
• BUCS and the Organising Committee reserves the right to cancel in part, or in total, the event if they consider it too dangerous to proceed.
• Competitors are advised to be aware of venue signage around the lakeside areas such as pontoons and mind their footing as areas can be slippery when wet.
• Long hair should be tied up.

Boat Racking

• Boat racks will be available on a first come, first served basis, and must not be “reserved”. All boat racks will need to be vacated by Monday 4 May at 21:00.

Time Trials

Time trials shall be used as qualifying/seeding races for further rounds.

Any crew wishing to inform of an incident (i.e. foul/obstruction)  during a Time Trial must raise it's hand upon crossing the finish line, and then a representative of the crew must notify the Chair of the Race Committee or the Regatta Controller in person to provide details within 30 minutes of crossing the finish line 

A protest made after the Time Trial results are published may not be considered.

Practice

Friday morning

The lake will be open for practice from 08:00am on Friday 1 May. This is booked by BUCS and no payment for use is required. 

No boating will be possible after 10:30am and all crews must be off the water and clear of the stages (with blades also removed) by 11:00am. 

It is intended that there will be an opportunity to do practice stakeboat starts between 09:30 and 10:30 and any crews not familiar with this process are strongly encouraged to take the opportunity. Having completed their start practice, crews should then follow the circulation pattern shown below. 

After racing (Fri/Sat/Sun)

Subject to the final schedule, and the regatta running to time. it is intended that the lake will open for training after racing has finished. Boating will be permitted as soon as the last race of the day has started. No boating will be allowed after 19:30 and all crews must be off the water by 19:45. 

Safety & Circulation

During these practice hours, the course will be monitored, but clubs remain ultimately responsible for their own safety during this time. Full safety cover will not begin until crews begin boating for racing. 

All crews must follow the circulation pattern below during practice times outside of racing. 

Please note

There will be no practice on the course outside of the above published times. 

Failure to abide by the above timings and circulation may result in the crew being excluded from racing. 

Car & Trailer Parking

All parking information for cars and trailers can be found here. 

Drone Policy

The use of drones at BUCS events is strictly prohibited. The only permissible use of drones will be with the permission of BUCS for professional companies with appropriate licenses, insurance, risk assessments and in line with all the requirements of the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). 

The unauthorised use of drones will result in disciplinary action under BUCS Regulation 5 Misconduct and Bringing BUCS into Disrepute, and the relevant authorities being notified e.g. CAA.

Food & Drink

Competitors are responsible for providing their own food and drink. Food stalls will be located at the venue on both sides of the lake, selling hot and cold food and drink. Water refill points are available around the site and competitors are encouraged to bring a refillable bottle.

All competitors and spectators have a responsibility to keep the venues and surrounding areas clean and tidy, and to use the bins provided. Institutions may be held responsible for any littering.

Marquee/Gazebos

Clubs are encouraged to create their “own space” by providing their own gazebo/marquee for shelter during the Regatta. BUCS does not charge for pitches.

Pitches are available on a first come first serve basis from 9am on Thursday 30 April. For guidance on location of tents please see the site map.

Regatta Site Map

Supporters

We welcome friends and family members to come and spectate. Refreshments and toilet facilities are accessible for spectators and competitors alike.

Supporters are also encouraged to enjoy the event via our livestream on BUCS Facebook and/or YouTube channels.

Indoor space

Unless trying to contact Race Control, coaches, competitors and spectators must not be on the upper floors of the National Watersports Centre as these are operational areas for the regatta. Any competitors found in these areas risk penalties for their Club.

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.

Anyone wishing to take photos or video at this event must complete the BUCS Media Accreditation Form prior to the event. 

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.