McNabb Family Gift Elevates USRowing Small Boat National Championships

Four-year commitment transforms Fall Speed Order into championship-level event 

USRowing is pleased to announce a generous gift from the McNabb family in support of the USRowing Small Boat National Championships. Through this four-year commitment, the traditional November U.S. National Team selection event — the Fall Speed Order — is helping transform into a national championship-level experience for collegiate, Para, youth, and elite competitors. 

The inaugural USRowing Small Boat National Championships Presented by the McNabb Family will take place November 14-15, 2026, at the Caspersen Rowing Center on Mercer Lake in West Windsor, New Jersey. The regatta will bring together the country's top collegiate, Para, youth, and elite athletes for two days of racing, with national champions crowned in each event and collegiate champions recognized as well. The inaugural championships have attracted 370 entries from 78 clubs and programs. 

The men’s single sculls leads the field with 90 entries, followed by the women’s pair with 75, the women’s single sculls with 74 and the men’s pair with 73.” 

Thirty collegiate programs, including Princeton, Yale, Harvard, Washington, and Virginia, will be represented alongside the Boston, Princeton, and Sarasota USRowing Training Centers. Clubs such as Penn AC, California Rowing Club, and Craftsbury Green Racing Project will also compete on the national stage. Racing will be contested in the men's and women's single sculls and the men's and women's pairs, along with youth events in the single sculls and pairs and Para single sculls events in the PR1, PR2, and PR3 classifications. 

Prior to this year, there was no dedicated championship for collegiate small boats. Fall racing is dominated by head races and the Fall Speed Order, which was structured around senior team selection. Collegiate athletes who wanted to test themselves in small boats did so informally, or in scattered events with no clear connection to the national team pathway. 

“Small boat training develops the technical skills, discipline, and individual accountability that ultimately translate into success on the world stage,” said Bill McNabb. “Building on the work we’ve done with the Gold Cup, Lotman Challenge, and Hoffman Challenge, this championship represents a natural evolution of our commitment to strengthening small boat racing in the United States. As we look toward the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games and beyond, investing in opportunities for our athletes to compete and excel in small boats is more important than ever. Our family is proud to support this championship and help strengthen the foundation for the next generation of American rowing excellence.” 

The USRowing Small Boat National Championships creates that connection in a single, visible, well-resourced annual event and elevates it from a traditional Speed Order into a true championship-level experience. 

“The McNabb family’s generosity gives us an opportunity to build something special for our athletes,” said Josy Verdonkschot, The McLane Family Chief High Performance Officer. “This championship gives collegiate, youth, and elite competitors a national stage to test themselves in small boats and take the next step in their development. We’re grateful for the family’s commitment to making that experience possible.” 

Racing Format and Schedule 

Competition begins Saturday, Nov. 14, with morning time trials followed by afternoon semifinals. Progressions will depend on the number of entries in each event, with all crews advancing beyond the time trial. Finals will be contested Sunday, Nov. 15. 

USRowing thanks the McNabb family for helping bring this new championship to life and looks forward to welcoming athletes, coaches, families, and fans for a memorable weekend of racing. Racing will be livestreamed on Overnght November 14–15.