Somerset 525 Open For Entries

The Somerset 525 Virtual Rowing Championships are set to return on Friday 10th, Saturday 11th and Sunday 12th April 2026. Perfectly timed within the winter training period, the event offers crews and individuals an ideal opportunity to build fitness, test stamina and sharpen competitive edge ahead of the World Pilot Gig Championships in early May.

Inspired by ‘Virtual Scilly’, the Somerset 525 was first created during the Covid lockdowns to keep people rowing, connected and motivated when on-water racing was not possible. What began as a virtual challenge quickly grew into a global event, bringing together gig rowers, indoor rowers, para and adaptive athletes from across the UK and overseas.

Competitors can enter one, two or three races across a range of distances:
• 5km individual and team
• 2km individual and team
• 500m sprint individual
• 525m juniors only

Live online Zoom Ergo sessions are hosted for each distance, allowing competitors to race together in real time. Group warm ups and warm downs are led by event representatives, helping recreate the atmosphere of a live competition and strengthening the sense of shared experience even when participants are geographically dispersed.

The Somerset 525 has earned a strong reputation for being inclusive, well organised and highly engaging. Previous editions attracted hundreds of competitors, including full club squads, youth crews, first time racers, experienced athletes and international entries from Europe, Australia and the USA. The event was supported by Concept2 and praised for its communication, social media engagement and community building by British Rowing.

For 2026, the event is being relaunched under Avon Corinthians Rowing Club CIC, and is open beyond CPGA membership, welcoming anyone with access to an indoor rowing machine, including para and adaptive rowers. This makes it an accessible and flexible training and racing opportunity during the off season.

Competition categories follow familiar gig rowing age group structures and include:
• Juniors ages 12 to 17
• Senior Women and Men ages 18 to 39
• Vets Women ages 40 to 49
• Super Vets Women and Men ages 50 to 60
• Masters Women and Men ages 60 plus
• Para and Adaptive categories PR1 / AR1, PR2 / AR2, PR3 (PD) / AR3-PD

Feedback from previous years highlights the strong sense of community the event creates. Competitors shared:

“Thank you very much the 525 team, I really enjoyed the weekend and wish all the best to your club” – Paul, Birmingham.

“Thank you very much, it was a fun weekend” – João, Portugal

International reach was a hallmark of the event, with organisers noting that competitors joined from as far afield as Sydney, with plans to return in future years.With the structure already in place and sustained interest in its return, the Somerset 525 Virtual Rowing Championships promise once again to deliver competition, connection and motivation. For gig rowers deep in winter training, it offers a clear goal, a shared challenge and a chance to race when being on the water is not always possible.

Visit the facebook page to find out more or sign up via the form. then dust off the ergo, mark the dates and start building towards April!