Welsh Rowing

A strong start to the World Championships for Matt Aldridge 🚣‍♂️🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿

The Welsh rower and GB teammate Fergus Woolnough finished second in their men’s pair heat in Amsterdam, clocking 7:11.07.

Welsh rowers high five it in foothills of the Alps

THERE were five gold and silver medals for Welsh rowers representing GB at the European Rowing Championships in Varese, Italy, reports NICK HARTLAND.

Having represented GB at both U19 and U23 level, Llandaff RC graduate Angharad Broughton secured gold with the GB Women's Four on day one of the finals, leading the six-boat medal race through every marker before withstanding a late German surge to win by just over 1/2L in 6.23.03, with the Neutral AIN boat third 1/3L further back pipping Romania by feet.

“It’s really special, I think we have been working really hard,” said the Washington University graduate.

“We’ve changed a lot about the way we have approached rowing in general, and I think it’s exciting that we feel like we’re doing something and we’re gaining speed with everything we are doing in training.”

Welsh Paris Olympic medallist Becky Wilde came in as a substitute to the GB Women's Quad, but had to settle for fourth behind Switzerland, Germany and Romania.

But despite a 90-minute delay due to thunder and lightning, Paralympic and World champion Benjamin Pritchard proved unstoppable again the following day in the foothills of the Alps, retaining his European PR1 title from Italy's Giacomo Perini by over seven seconds.

The lead changed hands several times in the early stages, before Pritchard secured a small advantage he held through the 1km and 1500m marks.

There was only 1/4L in it with 500m to race, but the Tawe sculler then turned on the afterburners to come home some 3L clear in 9.07.88.

And coming ashore, Benjamin then paid a touching tribute to his City of Swansea coach, saying: "The reason why this is so special is that my coach on the River Tawe, Andrew Williams, his father passed away on Tuesday.

"This was done for the Williams family and for everything they do for me. Thank you to them and to everyone in the GB Rowing Team for getting me here in this shape.

“I didn’t really know what was happening out on the course. I was trying to focus on what I was doing. With the delay to racing, the headwind, and conditions changing, you can get caught up in what everyone else is doing.

David [Breen] and I were really clear about sticking to my race plan and trying to execute that.

“Every time Giacomo came through me, I looked at my clock, and I thought, ‘Well, he’s not beating my World Record in these conditions so let’s just carry on with the plan,’ and that’s exactly what I did.”

There were also two Welsh rowers and a cox on the podium in the GB Women's 8 later on.

And having smashed the British record for a Women's 8 in fast tailwind conditions in the previous race, coming home in 5.53, they chased home Olympic champions Romania to take well-deserved silver to add to last year's World bronze.

Old Monmothian cox Jack Tottem called the boat home containing Eve Stewart and Katherine George in 6.01.57, a length and a half behind the east Europeans and nearly a length up on bronze medallists Italy.

“It was a good race. We went out wanting to be brave, and that’s what we did,” said George.

“We wanted to try something new, and we did that. The whole crew was happy with the performance on Friday, and we wanted to see how we would build on that.

“We’re in the middle of quite a long training camp, so it was a good opportunity to test what we have been working on and see what we can do next.

"Friday’s performance was a huge thing, and we were all very excited by that. We’re all thrilled, and it shows how much we’ve put in, as well as how much effort and grit we’ve got, which is very exciting.”

The trio go again in the GB 8 at the World Championships in Amsterdam this week (August 24-31), alongside Broughton in the Four and Pritchard in the PR1 Single.

And they are joined by fellow Welsh rowers Cedol Daffyd in the Men's Quad, Matt Rowe, in the Men's 8, and Matt Aldridge in the Men's Pair, while Becky Wilde travels as the Women's reserve.

Photos: BENEDICT TUFNELL/ WORLD ROWING

We want to hear from disabled people across Wales — whether you volunteer in sport or physical activity, used to, or never have but might like to. No experience is too big or small to matter.

Your views will help shape more inclusive volunteering opportunities across Wales. 👇

https://www.disabilitysportwales.com/volunteer-survey

Rydym eisiau clywed gan bobl anabl ledled Cymru — boed chi'n gwirfoddoli mewn chwaraeon neu weithgarwch corfforol, wedi arfer gwneud, neu erioed wedi gwirfoddoli ond efallai'n hoffi gwneud. Nid oes profiad rhy fawr na rhy fach i fod o bwys.

Bydd eich barn yn helpu i lunio cyfleoedd gwirfoddoli mwy cynhwysol ledled Cymru.

https://www.disabilitysportwales.com/arolwg-gwirfoddoli

Meg and Erin on song at Henley Women's

WELSH rowers Megan Knight and Erin Meredith were among the winners at this year's Henley Women's Regatta, writes NICK HARTLAND.

Meg's Reading University/ Nottingham RC crew beat Oxford Brookes (2 1/2L), Molesey (1/3L) and then Leander containing Wales' Lucy Thompson (2L) in the final to lift the Borne Cup for Championship Quadruple Sculls.

And former Llandaff RC junior Erin joined London RC club mate Laura Bates to land the Haslam Trophy for Championship Lightweight Doubles, with wins over Sons of the Thames (5L) and Reading University (2L).

In Championship 8s, 2025 Wales Home International double medallist Georgina Robinson Ranger's Leander A boat beat London University (1 1/2L) and Leander B (1/2L) before falling to Thames A by 1/3L in the semi-final.

And fellow Wales cap Imogen Wolstencroft's Thames B boat beat City of Cambridge (1L) and Brown University USA (1/2L) before falling at the same stage to event winners Molesey/UL by 1L.

Another semi-finalist was Wales' Susanna Youlton representing Chester le Street, who came through against Warrington (3 1/2L) and Dutch club Nereus (4 1/2L) before bowing out to Aspirational Singles winner Ava Robertson of Glasgow University by 2 1/2L.

That was matched by Swansea University's Charlie Moorby in Aspirational Lightweight Singles, who beat her Vesta B opponent by 4L before bowing out to their A sculler by 5L.

Swansea's Frances Katirewa, Romy Foley, Eunae Charlton-Harrison and Selina Jones also came through the Academic Coxless Fours time-trial, beating King's College London comfortably in the first round before bowing out to event winners St Andrews by 5L.

And Cardiff University's Beth Weaver, Menna Sutton, Keira Delaney and Lucy Jones came through the 21-boat Academic Quads time-trial before going down to Queen's Belfast by 1 1/2L.

Cardiff Uni, Swansea University and Cardiff Metropolitan all made it through the 39-boat Development Coxed Four time-trial to make the 16-boat draw.

Cardiff Uni's Millie Armstrong, Sophie Shore-Nye, Rozalia Moore, Milly Rawles and cox Lucy Billington then beat St Andrews by 3 1/2L before bowing out to Cantabrigian.

Swansea's Poppy Stuart, Ella Napier, Kate Butterwick, Faye Watson,
and cox Lydia Hunter-Tod fought hard to push Oxford University to a 2L verdict.

And the Met's Amelia Eldridge, Maddie Jones, Rae Bennett, Grace Chaffey and cox Anastasia Cicek also gave a good account before missing out to Edinburgh by 3L.

Haberdashers' Monmouth contested the Juniors 8s time-trial finishing six seconds behind the fastest non-qualifier.

Photos: Reading University Boat Club, London RC, Cardiff University BC, Swansea University RC, Cardiff Metropolitan RC

Welsh boats prove Master-blasters!

WELSH rowers again proved 'oarsome' at this year's two-day British Masters Rowing Championships, with Monmouth RC taking second place overall in the Victor Ludorum and Llandaff also securing three podium places, reports NICK HARTLAND.

The Wye club secured 11 championship medals at Nottingham's National Watersports Centre, Sue Smith and Liz Lewis teaming up with former GB rowers Bill Downing and John Griffiths to take gold first up in the Mixed Masters F (over-60) Quadruple Sculls by a length from Warrington in tough cross-headwind conditions.

Frances Lester showed age is no barrier as the 82-year-old then joined Simon Lee, Maggie Hickland and Alex Mitchell to land bronze in the Mixed MG (over-65) final, holding off Sudbury by a canvas.

Matthew Harden, Tim Earnshaw, Mark Woods and former Cambridge Blue Roger Stephens then struck silver in the Open MG quads 1/2L behind London outfit Tideway Scullers.

And former Australian squad member Woods was on fire in the six-boat MF Singles final, storming into a clear water lead at halfway and coming home six seconds clear of Irishman Denis Crowley.

Llandaff's Nicola Smith also raced to Women's MC (over-42) Singles silver, finishing just 1/2L down on the Nottingham RC winner.

Next day was sweep oar day at championship level, where the Monmouth Women's ME (over-55) Eight of Dawn Brace, Rachel Rand, Felicity Howes, Shelagh Sawyer, Sue Smith, Louise Tanner, Liz Lewis, Louise Allison, and cox Joanne Roberts held second all the way to take silver 1L behind Broxbourne 2/3L up on York.

Three of Monmouth RC's Head of the Charles USA champion boat – Mark Woods, Ian Townsend and Nick Hooton – teamed up with club coach and Athens Olympian Tim Male to take gold by 1/3L from Llandaff's Paul Bradshaw, Sion Dafydd, Huw Lewis and Nick Bowman in silver.

And Woods took his third gold and fourth medal alongside his three crew mates in the Mixed ME 8s, joining Sue Smith, Dawn Brace, Fliss Howes, Lou Tanner and cox Mel Brown to beat a composite Molesey/ Nottingham & Union/ Thames boat into second by just over a length.

Llandaff's Men's Four also doubled up with bronze in the ME Coxed Fours, steered by Sara Reyes just 1/3L behind Old Monmothian Stuart Bell's Upper Thames boat in silver, and 2/3L ahead of Molesey in fourth.

And there was more Welsh bling in the Mixed MF/G 8s final, where Monmouth's Maggie Hickland, Kate Hooton, James Allison, Paul Bezani, Simon Lee, Tim Earnshaw, Liz Lewis, Louise Allison, and cox Joanne Roberts took bronze behind a West Country/ York composite and a five-club boat.

Bezani, Colin Lewis, James Allison, Mitchell, Lee, Male, John Griffiths, Woods, and cox Bonita Birkett matched them in MF Open 8s behind UL Tyrian, another West Country composite and ahead of Tideway Scullers.

And there was bronze again for Liz Lewis, Shelagh Sawyer, Sue Smith, Louise Allison and cox Ewart Birkett in the Women's MF Coxed Fours chasing home York and Milton Keynes ahead of London/Maidstone.

And the regatta finished with a silver lining, as Maggie Hickland, Lou Tanner, Jane Hall, Kate Hooton and cox Fliss Howes stormed home second behind Nottingham RC/ Upper Thames and ahead of Kingston.

Earlier, there was also a second for Mel Brown, Howes, Tanner, Rachel Rand, and cox Roberts in the Women's Intermediate Over-50 Fours, pipping Kingston 1/2L behind winners Dart.

Top Thames club Tideway Scullers took the VL with an entry twice the size of Monmouth, who can be proud of taking second from London RC, one of the biggest clubs in the country.

There were also some near misses, with the Wye club contesting no less than 23 finals.

Photos: Monmouth RC/ Llandaff RC

Join Welsh Rowing and help shape the future of our sport in Wales.

We’re recruiting volunteers for three important leadership roles:

🔹 Non-Executive Director – Commercial Development
We’re looking for commercial, communications, marketing or digital expertise, together with entrepreneurial thinking and sound strategic judgement.

🔹 Non-Executive Director – Human Resources
We’re seeking an experienced HR professional who can offer strategic insight on people, culture, employment matters and organisational development.

🔹 Independent Safeguarding Committee Member
Help us make rowing safer and more welcoming for children, young people and adults. You don’t need experience in sport—relevant safeguarding skills, an independent perspective and a genuine commitment to inclusion are what matter.

Previous Board experience and knowledge of rowing are not essential. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.

📅 Closing dates:

• Independent Safeguarding Committee Member: Sunday 6 September at 9pm

• Commercial Development and Human Resources Board roles: Sunday 13 September at 9pm

To apply, or to request the full job descriptions or ask any questions, please contact [email protected].

Please share this opportunity with anyone who could help Welsh Rowing make a lasting difference.

Llongyfarchiadau mawr to all of our winners at HIRR 2026 at London Docklands over the weekend!

The Juniors gave an outstanding performance with the Junior Men’s team winning the John Hartland cup and the Junior Women’s coming second.

This is only the third time Wales has won a trophy with Junior Men’s winning in 2010 and Senior Men’s winning in 2012.

All of our winners from the event are:

JW1x (B) Grace J

JM1x (B) Hamish G

JW1x (A) Matilda H

JM1x (A) Fred B

JM2x Dylan L & Max R

JW4x 500m Lydia S, Matilda H, Grace J, Naomi W

JM4x 2000m & 500m Hamish G, Dylan L, Max R, Fred B

WPR1/2 1x 2000m & 500m Chloe Hughes

M2- Robbie Prosser & George Cowley

Well done to all of our athletes who took part in the event, wore the Welsh jersey proudly and sung the Welsh anthem passionately!

All of this success wouldn’t be possible without the support Welsh Rowing receives from The National Lottery and Sport Wales / Chwareaon Cymru.

Diolch yn fawr!

Some behind the scenes footage of the Wales team at HIRR 2026 in London Docklands over the weekend.

Stay tuned for our results!

Welsh rowers relish Swiss role with Rotsee medals

WELSH rowers raced to four golds, a silver and a bronze at the recent World Cup III Regatta on Lucerne's 'Lake of the Gods', reports NICK HARTLAND.

Cedol Dafydd and the GB Men's Quad scull was joined at the top of the podium by Katherine George and cox Jack Tottem in the Women's 8 and Paralympic PR1 singles champion Benjamin Pritchard.

Matt Rowe in the Men's 8s also took silver, while Llandaff RC graduate Angharad Broughton took a battling bronze in the Women's Coxless Four.

Dafydd, Callum Dixon, Tobias Schröder and Rory Harris quickly surged to the front of the pack to lead by 1/2L from Estonia at 500m and had stretched out to just over a length at halfway.

The Netherlands then came through to challenge in the third quarter, just getting an overlap at the 1500m mark.

But the 2025 World silver medallists held on to take the gold by 1/3L in 5.54.92, with Germany in bronze 1/2L back on the Dutch.

GB's Women's 8 turned the tables on World Cup I winners Australia, taking a canvas lead at 500m, edging out to 3/4L at halfway and going through the three-quarter way mark with just over a length.

Australia pressed hard in the last 500m, but with Old Monmothian Oxford Boat Race winner Tottem calling the race from the cox's seat, GB held off their challenge to win by 1/3L in 6.08.54, with the US third another length back.

City of Swansea Paralympic and World champion Pritchard dominated his final after overhauling early leader Erik Horrie in the second quarter, winning by more than 14 seconds from the Australian.

Shanghai World silver medallist Matt Rowe came back into the GB Men's 8 after racing the Pair in World Cup I and helped them to a close repeat silver behind the Dutch 2025 World Champions.

The Dutch stole a march leading by 1/2L at 500m and had 2/3L at half-way over the Brits, who in turn had 1/4L on the Aussies.

That remained the margin through 1500m before the Brits launched a furious charge, just running out of water finishing six feet behind the Netherlands in 5.36.93, with Australia taking bronze a length back.

Following a fourth-place finish in Seville, Angharad Broughton and the GB Women's Four went one better to win bronze.

The US and Australia pulled away from the field, leaving the British in a fight for third before a decisive move in the third 500m saw them surge past the Dutch and pull away to cross in 6.37.14.

"Since we raced in Seville, we’ve had a really good block of training, and we feel we’ve improved so much," said Broughton.

"We’re a young crew, so we see that improvement every day and in every session.
“Coming into the race today, it was an exciting opportunity to see where we are now and where we can progress to for next time.

"It’s my first senior medal and my first World Rowing medal, so I’m really excited. It’s been a cool experience and a fun race to do it in.”

Olympic medallist Matt Aldridge raced a new Pair with Fergus Woolnough placing second in the B final for eighth after the Norwegians edged in front with 400m to go and won by a length, with GB crossing in 6.40.02.

“We had no pressure and no expectations,” said Aldridge. “Coming into the regatta, we wanted to make the A/B semis and being disappointed with second in the B Final is a very good thing because there’s perhaps a little bit more in there than we initially thought.

"It’s a very fast Norwegian Pair out there, so it’s good to be racing with them the whole way. Very good for a first campaign.”

Photos: Benedict Tufnell/ World Rowing

Are you a Rower? Aged between 12-21? We want you!

Welsh Rowing has a vision to develop our younger members into the future leaders of Wales through the sport of rowing, volunteering and physical activity. Our Youth Panel Programme aims to support, upskill, and recognise the commitment young people (aged 12–21) give to the sport of rowing. We want to provide a platform for their voices to be heard at all levels.

We are seeking Expressions of Interest (EOI) from our younger members who think they may enjoy being a Youth Panellist. Completing the EOI form does not commit you to the process but offers a chance to find out more. We hope to recruit approximately 8 panellists through an application process and really want representation from all over Wales and in all the different rowing disciplines – sea rowing, river rowing, coastal rowing, adaptive rowing and indoor rowing.

Please sign up using the QR code or the Expression of Interest link below.

https://forms.office.com/pages/responsepage.aspx?id=kjUdJXEwjUiwQvwX01JCkW8lTC_PO-pBhnL1YTG_I0NUOERYT0xLWjM3TEJFSTU3UFFHV1lBOFdKOC4u&origin=lprLink&route=shorturl&utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQPOTM2NjE5NzQzMzkyNDU5AAGn_k5j7mptzg3vinqh41sGpuXx7pRUsM1TuuRBsuTkMsF3zCK4RReTpCl5Ods_aem_HsfZeQo-erliC7zfIMCPVw