USRowing Introduces Small Boat National Championship

USRowing is excited to announce the inaugural USRowing Small Boat National Championship, a reimagined national event that will bring together the country's top collegiate, senior, and Para athletes for two days of championship racing on November 14-15, 2026, at Mercer Lake in West Windsor, N.J.

Formerly known as the Fall Speed Order, the event has traditionally served as an evaluation opportunity for senior athletes pursuing national team selection. In recent years, however, the regatta has attracted some of the nation's top collegiate programs, including crews from Dartmouth College, Harvard University, and the University of Washington. Building on that momentum, USRowing has transformed the event into a true national championship while continuing to support the U.S. High Performance pathway.

"Since launching High Performance Pathways in 2023, we've worked to create more opportunities for athletes to demonstrate their boat-moving skills," said Brett Gorman, Head Coach of High Performance Pathways. "The USRowing Small Boat National Championship is another step in that direction. Along with our High Performance Winter Camps, it gives athletes another meaningful opportunity to race against the best in the country and show what they can do beyond an erg score."

The championship will feature four events:

• Men's Single (M1x)
• Women's Single (W1x)
• Men's Pair (M2-)
• Women's Pair (W2-)

National champions will be crowned in each event, with collegiate champions also recognized, allowing college athletes to compete for both overall national championship honors and collegiate titles while racing against many of the country's top senior athletes.

The two-day competition format is designed to maximize racing opportunities while reducing travel costs and minimizing financial barriers for competitors.

Saturday, November 14

• Morning: Time Trials
• Afternoon: Semifinals

Sunday, November 15

• Morning: Finals

Following the time trials, every crew will advance to the next round of racing. A, B, C, D, and additional finals will be contested as needed based on entries, ensuring athletes have multiple opportunities to compete throughout the weekend.

As part of the event's development, USRowing consulted with the NCAA and confirmed that participation is permissible under NCAA rules and does not conflict with NCAA championship eligibility. The championship was also developed in collaboration with leaders throughout the collegiate rowing community to provide an additional high-quality racing opportunity while strengthening the bridge between collegiate rowing and future national team opportunities.

The 2026 championship is intended to serve as the foundation for an annual event that brings together the nation's best small boat athletes across multiple age groups and competitive levels. Coaches will have flexibility in determining participation, whether sending an individual athlete, a small number of crews, or a larger contingent.

Additional information, including eligibility requirements, registration dates, entry procedures, and the complete event schedule, will be announced in the coming weeks.