The Wenlock Olympian Eights will be returning to Ironbridge Regatta in 2025 the club is pleased to announce! Forming part of the 139th 2025 Wenlock Olympian Games and Ironbridge Regatta the event sees Mixed Eight crews sprint racing over the distance of 500m to be crowned the 2025 Olympian Gold Medal Champions.

The Wenlock Olympian Games have been held since 1850 after being formed by Doctor William Brookes and are credited with being a significant inspiration for the modern day Olympics. Pierre de Coubertin, the founder of the modern Olympic movement stated in 1896 that “If the Olympic Games that Modern Greece has not yet been able to revive still survives there today, it is due, not to a Greek, but to Dr W P Brookes.“

However, since the games were formed in 1850 it had never included a Rowing Event. The later Shropshire Games had for a year, but the Wenlock Games had never been able to. Thankfully the Wenlock Olympian Society and Ironbridge Rowing Club brought this about in 2024 with the inclusion of the Olympian Mixed Eights.

Last year saw Huntingdon Boat Club win the Gold Medals against Pengwern Boat Club who took Silver in a thrilling final. However, who will take the Olympian title this year?

You can watch this years Wenlock Olympian Eights at Ironbridge Regatta on Saturday 28th June from 5pm.