International Rowing Challenge Set to Debut at RowFest National Championships

U.S., Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand to Compete in Youth International Regatta

The stage is set for the inaugural International Rowing Challenge (IRC), a new international youth regatta spotlighting top junior talent from across the globe. Hosted by USRowing as part of the 2025 RowFest National Championships, the event will take place July 15-16 in Ypsilanti, Michigan, bringing together rising stars from the United States, Canada, Mexico, and New Zealand for two days of high-caliber racing.

Designed to offer meaningful international experience to developing athletes, the International Rowing Challenge replaces the long-running CanAmMex series and expands the format to foster deeper international collaboration and competition.

Event Format:

• Each nation will enter teams of four male athletes, four female athletes, and one coxswain
• Crews will compete across a mix of boat classes: single sculls, double sculls, pair, four with coxswain, quadruple sculls, and a mixed eight
• All races will be 1,500 meters
• Athletes will race in both sculling and sweep events

All participating U.S. athletes were selected from the Selection Development Camp. Rowers and coxswains were chosen for their potential to compete at the highest levels of international rowing, and this event will serve as a critical development milestone.

The International Rowing Challenge is part of USRowing’s long-term performance strategy, with a strong emphasis on small boats, technical development, and global competition. The event aligns with the goals of USRowing’s Pathways Program, which aims to strengthen the U.S. national team pipeline at all levels.

For more information about the International Rowing Challenge, please visit usrowing.org.