Updated: 03 March 2021
BUCS Rowing programme has events for beginners through to aspiring Olympians.
There are four major events run throughout the year.
Regatta - updated 03 March 2021
BUCS is very pleased to confirm that the 2021 BUCS Regatta is rescheduled to Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 June at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham.
Following the Government’s announcement on 22 February 2021, the BUCS Rowing Event Management Group (EMG) met and discussed that based on the number of competitors that would normally use hotel accommodation, it would not be appropriate to run the Regatta on the 1-3 May 2021.
A virtual meeting was held with University rowing representatives on the morning of 25 February. Representatives of over 40 universities attended which equated to over 75% of the crews at the 2019 Regatta. During the meeting, the EMG updated representatives on the situation and presented two options for running Regatta this year: 29 – 31 May 2021, or at the end of June/beginning of July, possibly midweek.
Several attendees voiced opinions during the meeting and, whilst there were pros and cons with both options, there was general support for either. Immediately following the meeting, a survey was sent to all attendees asking them to select their preference, and also give an estimate of how many crews they may send to a Regatta on either of the dates. This survey was open until Tuesday 2 March.
Our thanks go to all those who contributed to the survey, the results of which demonstrate the strong desire to return to competition at the earliest safe moment. The BUCS Rowing EMG has reviewed multiple aspects including ensuring sufficient time for students to prepare appropriately for competition, availability of venues, and the impact our choice of date might have on other rowing events in the UK. We are also acutely aware that students have already suffered much disruption to their education and our preference is therefore to avoid peak exam periods.
Before, during and since the survey, we have engaged in several discussions with the venue (the National Water Sports Centre), suppliers, and representatives of several other major rowing competitions. Based on these discussions, it has been decided that the Regatta will be held on Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 June 2021. We are hopeful that England may have moved to “Step 4” and that the restrictions in the devolved nations will also allow students to prepare for, and compete at the BUCS Regatta in a fair way.
BUCS is planning to run the full three day Regatta but may need to review this based upon entries received. It is our intention to publish a provisional schedule of events by the end of March and to provide a further update on planning and the entry process in early April.
We look forward to seeing many of you on the water at the NWSC in June, and back on the water and supporting other competitions in the meantime.
University Indoor Rowing Series(UIRS)
This event has been cancelled. We will be looking at additional indoor rowing opportunities in the new year.
Small Boats Head
Unfortunately, we have made the decision that this event will not go ahead this season.
4s and 8s Head - updated
Following the latest UK Goverment announcement, which outlined lockdown being in place in England until at least the middle of February we have made the difficult decision to cancel the BUCS Head. We looked at alternatives dates/plans for later in March but were unable to find a date that would work in the calendar.
We are now focusing our efforts on plans for BUCS Regatta in May.
All events will be run in line with guidance from British Rowing and subject to local and national restrictions regarding Covid-19.
The updated BUCS Rowing Regulations for the 2020 - 21 season can be found here.
The BUCS Rowing Programme is supported by partners Rupert & Buckley.
