Great Britain is set to send a strong delegation of 42 athletes to compete in the U19 World Rowing Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, from 6th to 9th August. This event is one of the most anticipated of the rowing calendar. It will showcase the next generation of talent from around the world. The British team aims to build on the success of last year’s competition in Trakai, Lithuania. They topped the medal table with an impressive haul of four golds, two silvers, and one bronze.
Among the returning athletes is Nick Conway, the sole survivor from last year’s Men’s Four in the current squad. Conway, representing Norwich School Rowing Club, returns to the same boat. He earned a gold medal there last year. This time, he will partner with Csombor Hanczar from Radley College Boat Club. Hanc zar recently set a record in the Championship Eights at the National Schools’ Regatta. In the Women’s Four, Ottilie Campbell-Reide, a 2025 world silver medallist, leads the team. She is alongside Isis Thurnham from Shiplake College Boat Club. A powerful duo from Headington School Oxford Boat Club joins them. Anna Trapmore and Henriette Smit are part of a crew. They just secured their third consecutive Prince Phillip Challenge Trophy.
Women's Rowing Highlights
In the Women’s Eight, Freya Coupe and Elayna Yap from Canford School Boat Club and Headington School Boat Club return for their second consecutive appearance. Last year, the Women’s Eight won gold in Trakai, finishing just under two seconds ahead of the United States. This year’s squad features a strong contingent from Shiplake College, including Aaliyah Hall and Hannah Palin. Florence Grose, who recently secured two golds at the Junior Women’s Four in the Coupe de la Jeunesse, completes the team as a key addition to the lineup.
The Junior Women’s Quadruple Scull will include half of the Marlow Rowing Club team. Lauren Kennedy was part of the bronze medal-winning boat last year. She will partner with Alice Moss, also from Marlow. The pair ended their domestic season with a victory at the Diamond Jubilee Challenge Cup. They triumphed in multiple events including the HOCR, Schools’ Head, National Schools’ Regatta, and the Head of the River Race. Their rivals, Kate Cohalan and Holly Weddell from the Tideway Scullers School, will also be part of the squad. Cohalan and Weddell reached the final at the Tideway Scullers School event. They earned silver at the National Schools’ Regatta in May.
Men's Rowing Focus
The Men’s Eight will be led by rowers from St Paul’s School, including Jonathan Miles and Nathaniel Barnes. This year also marks the return of Jack Holden and Aiden Hughes from Hampton School Boat Club. They are making their second consecutive appearance in the event. Joining them is a mix of talent from other clubs. Laszlo Earle is from St Edward’s School Boat Club. George Petrow is from Westminster School Boat Club. Monty Sutherland is from Radley College.
Louis Sheasby will compete in the Men’s Quad for the first time in the U19 international stage. Sheasby, who previously represented Great Britain in the Men’s Double Sculls at a GB v France match, has continued to impress at the club level. He is joined by Finley Corby and Gabriel Lorenzi from Sir William Borlase’s Grammar School Boat Club, and Isaac Thornton from The Windsor Boys’ School, who recently won the Championship Quads at the National Schools’ Regatta. In the Men’s Double Scull, Alfie Webb, a Henley winner, will partner with Quinn Mosley from Durham Amateur Rowing Club, who won both J16 and J18 Single Sculls at last year’s British Rowing Club Championships and also secured a gold in the GB v France match.
Notable Returns and New Entries
Closing the Men’s event lineups is the Men’s Pair, where Jonathan Cleugh will make his return after competing in last year’s Coupe de la Jeunesse Quad. Cleugh, a champion at the National Schools’ Regatta, will pair with Wilder Daffey from St Paul’s School Boat Club, who recently claimed victory at Henley. This combination brings together experience and recent success to form a strong contender for the competition.
With 10 crews set to compete, the British team is well-positioned to continue its strong performances at the U19 World Rowing Championships. These athletes, many of whom have already achieved success at national and international levels, are ready to represent Great Britain in Plovdiv.
The U19 World Rowing Championships in Bulgaria will be a key stage for these young athletes to showcase their talents, build on their previous achievements, and aim for new milestones. With a mix of returning champions and rising stars, Great Britain enters the event with high hopes and a solid foundation to compete at the highest level.