Team Sunderland Takes On British Rowing Club Champs
Written by Sofija Krasauska on 5th August 2026
Rob Harding and Lewis Allison in the Open Club Double | Photo credit: Sofia Krasauska
The British Rowing Club Championships took place at the National Water Sports Centre in Nottingham on July 17-19. With sunny weather and calm conditions, the three-day event hosted over 2,400 athletes from across the country and was the perfect end to the summer regatta season.
Six athletes represented the University of Sunderland rowing team, participating in multiple events, rowing alongside the strongest clubs in the country.
Racing began on Friday, with the Open Beginner Double (O Beg 2x) led by Tom Strong and Benji Bleazard. Making their way into an intense A final, the first-year rowers settled into fifth place.
Tom Strong and Benji Bleazard came 5th overall in the Men’s Beginner Double | Photo credit: Sofia Krasauska
On Saturday, the women’s beginner double (W Beg 2x) qualified for the A final. Rowing alongside Performance Development crews from Cardiff Met University, Sunderland’s double, composed of Sofia Krasauska and Eden Weeks, placed fourth overall.
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Racing in the Open Beginner’s Single (O Beg 1x), Tom Strong powered through to Final B, coming 4th in his race and 8th overall. Concluding racing on Sunday with the Open Club Double (O Club 2x), Rob Harding and Lewis Allison powered through to the C final. With tough competition, the duo settled into 6th place in their final and finished 18th overall.
As for the women, Eden Weeks made her way to the B final, finishing 6th overall in the beginner’s single (W Beg 1x). Reflecting on her first year in the sport, Weeks said: “It was exciting to take part in such a big competition, and it was great to be able to show what we’ve worked so hard on over the past year.”
Not ignoring sweep, Benji Bleazard joined a composite crew with Sunderland’s Rowing Club for the Open Club Four (O Club 4+). The crew flew into the B final, securing 12th place overall.
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Reflecting on the competition, team president Rob Harding said: “Amazing results from the beginners, and I think it shows how good the coaching is at Sunderland for beginners; two A finals is outstanding, and it shows how much dedication and effort was put in.”
The team trains alongside the City of Sunderland Rowing Club on the River Wear, and is coached by Stephen Beadling. To find out more, follow the University of Sunderland Rowing Club on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/uosrowing/
