The RMB National Rowing Squad from South Africa heads to Amsterdam for the 2026 World Rowing Championships

Johannesburg – The RMB National Rowing Squad has set off for Amsterdam, Netherlands, to participate in the 2026 World Rowing Championships, a prestigious event that marks the finale of the international classic rowing season.

Scheduled from 24 to 30 August at the Bosbaan, the Championships will feature over 850 athletes from 64 countries vying for medals across 23 boat classes, promising to be one of the most significant editions in the history of the event.

The South African team arrives in Amsterdam brimming with confidence after a season that has demonstrated their ability to compete alongside the world’s elite.

Building Momentum: Lucerne and Henley

During the World Rowing Cup III in Lucerne in June, Courtney Westley and Katherine Williams secured 8th place overall in the women’s pair, while Paige Badenhorst attained 9th place in the women’s single sculls.

Chris Baxter also finished 15th in the men’s single sculls.

These results have positioned the squad well among the world’s leading nations as they prepare for the northern hemisphere summer.

Their performance continued to shine at the Henley Royal Regatta, regarded as the most elite regatta worldwide, where both South African scullers advanced to the semi-finals.

Badenhorst delivered what many labeled the race of the regatta, battling alongside Austria’s Magdalena Lobnig, an Olympic bronze medalist and two-time world champion, before narrowly losing by half a length.

Baxter pushed eventual finalist Diogo Gonçalves of Portugal to the limit in his semi-final, while Westley and Williams were defeated in the quarter-finals by Italy’s Laura Meriano and Alice Codato, who ultimately clinched the event.

Coming so close to the pinnacle of the world’s most competitive regatta has bolstered the squad’s belief that a standout performance awaits in Amsterdam.

Three Weeks of Final Preparation in Tzaneen

In the lead-up to their departure, the squad dedicated the past three weeks to a training camp in Tzaneen, Limpopo — a traditional preparation base for South African rowing.

These three consecutive weeks have offered the crews valuable time on the water to enhance race fitness, refine their rhythm and race strategies, and foster team cohesion before the year’s biggest regatta.

Observing the group in both Lucerne and Henley, their progress was evident as they challenged some of the finest crews and athletes globally.

“This preparation has instilled even greater confidence in the team as they head into the World Championships,” remarked national coach Andrew Grant.

Age-Group Depth Signals a Bright Future

South Africa’s impressive 2026 season extends beyond the senior squad.

At the World Rowing Under-23 Championships in Duisburg, Germany, both the South African men’s four and women’s four advanced to the A-Final — marking the country’s best-ever result in the men’s four, and according to all records, the first time South Africa has fielded a women’s four at U23 World Championships.

These accomplishments stem from a new program designed to allow South African rowers abroad — many competing on university scholarships in the USA and Europe — to represent their nation.

With crews now able to tap into talent both domestically and internationally, this pathway has already yielded promising results — hinting at a bright future as this generation aims to uphold South Africa’s rich Olympic rowing legacy, which includes medals from Athens, London, and Rio.

RMB’s Continued Support

“RMB takes great pride in supporting the National Rowing Squad as they embark on the World Championships,” stated Michael Edwards, RMB Sponsorship Marketing Lead.

“This season has witnessed remarkable growth — from Lucerne to Henley to the outstanding age-group performances in Duisburg — clearly indicating that this program is creating something extraordinary.

“We wish the team every success in Amsterdam, and we will be cheering them on every stroke of the way.”

Looking Ahead

With the season’s most challenging test approaching, the RMB National Rowing Squad heads to Amsterdam to conclude a successful international season — and with real momentum propelling them, all eyes will be on the Bosbaan from 24 to 30 August.

Fans can follow the team’s journey during the Championships on World Rowing’s website and the RowingRSA Instagram page.

Event Diary Details

Event: 2026 World Rowing Championships

Dates: 24–30 August 2026

Venue: Bosbaan, Amsterdam, Netherlands

More information: worldrowing.com

Follow the Action

World Rowing: worldrowing.com

RowingRSA on Instagram: @rowingrsa

RMBCIB on Instagram: @rmbcib

Rowing South Africa: rowsa.co.za

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