London Otters Pride Regatta

Royal Docks, London | 2–3 July 2026

London Otters Rowing Club is exploring plans to host a Pride Regatta at Royal Docks Watersports in London, timed to coincide with London Pride 2026, which is expected to take place on Saturday 4 July.

The aim is to create an inclusive, international celebration of LGBTQ+ rowing, bringing together clubs and rowers from around the world for racing, training, and community — both on and off the water.

Proposed Programme (Indicative)

Thursday 2 July 2026
Optional training day / shared water time at Royal Docks, with opportunities for mixed and composite crews to row together.

Friday 3 July 2026
Pride Regatta at Royal Docks Watersports, followed by an evening social/party to celebrate racing, community, and Pride.

Saturday 4 July 2026
London Pride. Subject to ticket availability, we hope to offer visiting clubs and rowers the opportunity to march together in the Pride parade or otherwise take part in Pride celebrations across the city.

Who the Regatta Is For

The regatta would be:

  • Open to LGBTQ+ rowing clubs worldwide

  • Open to individual LGBTQ+ rowers interested in forming composite crews

  • Open to all clubs and rowers who wish to take part in an inclusive Pride celebration

  • Inclusive of local Royal Docks clubs and the wider UK rowing community

Our intention is to make this a welcoming, non-exclusive event that celebrates diversity in rowing while offering meaningful racing and shared experiences. While the Pride Regatta will not be a formally sanctioned British Rowing or World Rowing event, racing will broadly align with their rules to ensure fair, safe and enjoyable competition for all participants.

  • We’re aware that the Gay Games will also be taking place around this time in Valencia, but as fine boat rowing is not currently included, we see this as an opportunity to offer a complementary LGBTQ+ sporting event in Europe during Pride season.

  • All rowing activity would take place at Royal Docks Watersports, London — a closed, buoyed 2km dock that regularly hosts regattas and large-scale rowing events, and is home to London Otters Rowing Club. The intention is to run races from 2km to 500m across the day.

This Is an Expression of Interest

At this stage, we are seeking to:

  • Gauge international and local interest

  • Understand the likely numbers of clubs and rowers

  • Identify appetite for racing, composite crews, and social events

Formal details (race formats, costs, logistics, accommodation guidance, etc.) would be developed once interest is confirmed.

We would be able to hire out boats for the event, but will also be able to facilitate clubs bringing their own boats too.