Best year yet for rowers at Europe’s top student event

Europe's largest student rowing event has a new men’s champion – Reading University Boat Club. 

The University of Reading's rowing team topped the medal table at the 2025 British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Regatta. More than two and a half thousand students took to the water at Holme Pierrepont, Nottingham between Friday 2 May and Sunday 5 May.

An impressive 18 medals (nine gold, five silver, four bronze) were secured by RUBC’s scullers, who claimed the men's Victor Ludorum title. Newcastle University picked up the women’s and overall Victor Ludorum.

Reading won gold in all four quad events across open and women's Intermediate and Championship categories. The club also dominated the Championship singles, with Matt Long delivering one of the weekend's most thrilling performances by edging out Oxford Brookes' Filip Pfeifer by just 0.31 seconds. 

Will Rand, RUBC Director of Rowing, said: "I'm extremely proud of our student-athletes' historic performance at this year's BUCS Regatta. Topping the medal table with 18 medals, including nine golds, reflects the dedication and talent throughout our squad. Our focus on developing excellence in sculling has clearly paid dividends, and this achievement sets a strong foundation for our continued success."

“To achieve what we have has taken an immense effort from the whole of the club - from those students who represent Team GB, to those who only picked up an oar for the first time in October. It’s really cool to be involved with such an amazing group of students”

“With next year being the centenary year of the University, we’re all pushing to be top on the Victor Ludorum in 2026.”

RUBC rowers will now focus on maintaining momentum through the summer regatta season, including at Henley Royal Regatta in July.