Apr 30, 2026
Competition
2026 USRowing Spring Racing Season Begins
The journey to the 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships kicks off this weekend, as more than 2,400 athletes take to the water at two key qualification regattas. These events mark the first steps toward securing a coveted spot at the nation's premier youth rowing competition.
Southwest
In California, the 2026 USRowing Southwest Youth Championships will take place May 1-3 on Lake Natoma in Gold River. This year’s regatta will feature over 1,850 athletes racing in 732 boats across more than 60 events, representing 36 clubs from across the region. Leading the way in entries is Los Gatos Rowing Club, which will field 63 boats and look to defend its national titles in the men’s and women’s quadruple sculls.
The Southwest region stood out at the 2025 Youth National Championships, producing several national champions and medalists. In the men’s four, both the winning crew from Marin and the runner-up from Los Gatos hail from the Southwest and are set to return, setting up a potential rematch. A similar showdown may unfold in the women’s double sculls, where defending champions Redwood Scullers and last year’s second-place finishers, River City, are both competing again this weekend. Another Southwest club to keep an eye on is Newport, the reigning gold medalist in the men’s pair.
Central
Simultaneously, the 2026 USRowing Central Youth Championships will unfold May 1-3 on the Oklahoma River in Oklahoma City’s Boathouse District. The regatta will see over 750 athletes racing in 349 boats across nearly 60 events. Dallas United Crew leads the field in entries with 38 boats set to compete.
The women’s youth double sculls will be the largest event, with 18 crews entered. Founders Rowing Club returns to the women’s quadruple sculls, aiming to build on last year’s third-place finish and contend for another medal. Meanwhile, Episcopal School of Dallas will be pushing for a spot in the A Final after just missing the cut in the same event last year.
Upcoming Regionals
The Mid-Atlantic and Southeast Regional Championships will take place the weekend of May 9-10, followed by the Northwest and Northeast Regional Championships on May 16-17. In addition, five other qualifying regattas will be held throughout May to determine the crews advancing to Sarasota to compete for the national title.
National Championships
The 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships will be held June 11-14 at Nathan Benderson Park in Sarasota, Florida, in partnership with Visit Sarasota County and the Nathan Benderson Park Conservancy. Athletes must qualify through one of 11 regional regattas held over the next four weekends.
A world-class venue, Nathan Benderson Park has hosted numerous elite rowing events, including the upcoming 2028 World Championships, the 2024 U.S. Olympic Trials, and the 2025 Youth National Championships, solidifying its reputation as the premier stage for American rowing.
The 2026 Youth Series and 2026 USRowing Youth National Championships will be streamed live on Overnght.
