❄️ The Frost Beckons Once More ❄️
The leaves have fallen, the mornings grow darker, and a familiar chill creeps across Britain's waterways. For those who felt the call last winter, you know what this means...
Coldwater is back.
After an extraordinary inaugural season that saw clubs from across the nation battle through frozen dawns and bitter headwinds, the Winter Rowing League returns for 2025/26 – bigger, bolder, and colder than ever before.
🏆 Remembering the Legends of 2024/25
Before we look ahead, let us honour those who conquered the ice last season:
👑 The Overall Crown – Thames Rowing Club (1,194 points)
In a dramatic late-season surge, Thames stormed from third place to seize ultimate glory. Their eight eights in the top 70 at HORR sealed one of the most remarkable comebacks in winter rowing history. The tides truly favoured the bold.
🍷 The Chalice of Unity (Thames Valley) – Thames Rowing Club
Thames completed the double, proving their dominance on home waters. London (1,128 pts) and Leander Club (1,060 pts) pushed hard, but the Chalice stays in Putney.
🗡️ The Sword of the Untamed Realm (Beyond Thames) – Newcastle University (764 points)
From the frozen banks of the Tyne, Newcastle held their ground from start to finish. Their crushing dominance at Rutherford Head set a pace that even Edinburgh and York couldn't match.
👸 The Coldwater Queens – Leander Club (575 points)
Leander's women showed what it means to embrace the cold. When their home waters offered nothing, they ventured north into the Untamed Realm, hunting points at Bristol and on the Trent. True warriors of winter.
🌨️ What's New for 2025/26?
The Coldwater Elders have been busy in the off-season, sharpening the rules and expanding the realm:
- 10 qualifying events across the nation, from the Tyne to the Thames
- Double points at WEHORR and HORR finales
- Regional glory still up for grabs with the Chalice and the Sword
- Archive of legends – the 2024/25 season is now preserved for eternity in our Previous Seasons section
📅 The Calendar of Cold
Mark your calendars, prepare your thermals:
- 29 Nov 2025 – Rutherford Head (The Frozen North awakens)
- 30 Nov 2025 – Wallingford 4s and 8s Head
- 6 Dec 2025 – UBBC Head Race
- 25 Jan 2026 – Quintin Head
- 7 Feb 2026 – Peterborough Head of the Nene
- 22 Feb 2026 – Head of the Trent
- 28 Feb 2026 – Hammersmith Head
- 7 Mar 2026 – Yorkshire Head & Reading University Head
- 14 Mar 2026 – WEHORR (Queens Finale)
- 22 Mar 2026 – North of England Head
- 28 Mar 2026 – HORR (Kings Finale & Overall Crown)
The full calendar with links to event websites can be found on our Calendar page.
🔥 Who Will Rise?
Can Thames defend their crown? Will Leander's Queens reign supreme once more? Can Newcastle hold the Sword against hungry northern challengers? Or will a new force emerge from the frost to claim glory?
The ice doesn't care about last year's results. Every club starts at zero. Every crew must prove themselves anew.
Winter is here. The cold water awaits.
📧 Stay Connected
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💬 From the Coldwater Elders
"To those who raced last winter – welcome back to the cold. To those joining us for the first time – prepare yourselves. The Winter Rowing League is not for the faint of heart, but for those who embrace the chill, glory awaits. May your blades stay true and your fingers stay warm... or at least functional."
See you on the water. 🚣❄️
Follow us on Instagram for updates, and check the Leaderboard once the season begins!