Henley Women’s Regatta has been shortlisted for the Environmental Sustainability Award at the 2025 British Rowing Awards.
HWR is one of five nominees in the category, which recognises efforts to embed sustainability in the running of an event or the life of a club.
In 2025, HWR appointed its first sustainability lead and set up a sustainability hub to engage and promote greater awareness to competitors and spectators alike. Competitors were offered free boat cleaning products and British Rowing’s Clean – Check – Dry protocol was promoted. Solar panels were used at the regatta, along with a plan for efficient recycling and robust waste management.
The efforts were supported by companies including sustainable packaging company Pulpex, who donated their recyclable, reusable bottles for competitors to use and to decorate.
The official souvenir programme and poster were also sustainability-themed, linking in with Reading University’s “Show Your Stripes” data awareness campaign. The programme highlighted ways that clubs could become more sustainable, and profiled last year’s British Rowing sustainability winner, Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club.
Olympic champion and HWR Ambassador Imogen Grant was also featured in the programme, and played a key role through the regatta weekend helping to promote the sustainability hub.
HWR remains committed to delivering a sustainable regatta in the coming years.
The winners of the British Rowing Awards will be announced on Friday 19 December.
