Power through the long winter with these exciting indoor rowing events
Why does our traditional ringing in of the new year seem to coincide with a long stretch of cold, gray, dark blah? At least that’s how it often feels in our wintery corner of New England.
Thankfully, the rowing community has plenty of cool indoor rowing events keyed up early in 2026 to brighten our January and help us power through to spring racing season. Take a peek at what’s coming up in the next few weeks—a little healthy anticipation is good for the soul!
All the Indoor Erg Action!
As a long-entrenched New England rowing company, Rowing Pad has always looked forward to the CRASH-B Sprints, a fun-spirited indoor rowing event with roots in the 1980s Charles River rowing scene.
Over the years, the number of well organized indoor rowing events has grown, which is such a positive development for those who love to challenge themselves on the good ol’ erg.
This year the CRASH-Bs World Indoor Rowing Championships will take place Saturday, February 15, at Brandeis University. Winning a hammer is a bucket list achievement for those who believe themselves to be true masters of the erg. (Register here until 2/8.)
No matter where your home base is, we guarantee an indoor rowing event is happening somewhere nearby! Check out several of the bigger regattas listed here and find the full details for each on Regatta Central.
EAST COAST
The 2026 Erg Sprints – CANCELLED
Saturday, January 31 | Alexandria, Virginia
Join more than 1,300 rowers—ranging from student athletes and masters rowers to indoor rowers and coastal rowers—for the 40th anniversary of the Erg Sprints, which began in 1986 as a way to drum up enthusiasm for winter workouts and has grown to become the largest U.S. indoor rowing competition for all age groups. There’s even a Concept 2 Triathlon option for those looking to ratchet up the stakes! Registration ends January 22.
Charlotte Erg Fest
Saturday, February 7 | Charlotte, NC
This first-year event, hosted by Charlotte Youth Rowing at Motion Fitness, is attracting plenty of attention. With erg races for middle schoolers, juniors, collegiate, masters, lightweights, flyweights, coxswains, corporate teams, and even, as the organizers say, “because we know you are out there, the Old Fat Man 500m Sprint event!” there is something for every type of indoor rower. Who can resist serious racing with a sense of humor, not to mention custom medals and trophies? Register here until 2/1/26.
MIDWEST
Southside Smackdown / Tiro Cup 2026
Saturday, February 7 | Chicago, IL
The South Side Smackdown / Tiro Cup is an annual indoor regatta hosted by Chicago Training Center. The venue for this year is Gage Park Field House, the winter home for Chicago Training Center’s youth rowing programs. As an official US Rowing Indoor National Championship site, the event will feature 2,000m and 500m individual races in all age and gender categories, plus newly added 2,000-meter relays and 1-minute races.
With all the national stage excitement and CTC’s traditional competition for the Tiro Cup, originally created as a reward for the hours the junior rowers put in getting ready for the spring season, the Smackdown is sure to be an action-packed day! Register here until 1/26/26.
WEST COAST
NWErgomania!
Saturday, February 7 | Tacoma, Washington
This popular indoor rowing event takes place at the beautiful University of Washington Tacoma YMCA Student Center, and features cool categories like the Hour of Power races, relays, and 1-minute races along with the traditional 2Ks, 5Ks, and 500-meter sprints for rowers of all ages and levels. This year NWErgomania! is an official host site for the 2026 USRowing Indoor National Championships, so participants’ times will be aggregated with those nationwide results. Registration ends February 1.
Don’t suffer erg burnout. Add an ErgPad to your seat for ultimate comfort and enhanced form. Instant rowing revival!
SHOP ROWING PAD’S ERGPAD LINEUP
Concept 2 Workout Challenges
Can’t make it to any of these live erg events? No problem! Concept 2 keeps the workout motivation strong every year with its lineup of challenges and daily workouts you can take on from home or the gym. Right now, rowers around the world are cycling their way through the January Revolutions Challenge, featuring a range of “goals” that are based on either days or hours rowed or calories burned.
Next up is the Valentine Challenge, from February 9 to 14, 2026, which sets a goal for participants to get a total of 14,000 meters between February 9 and midnight on Valentine’s Day. Reach the target to claim your space on the honor board and send special Valentine’s Day cards to your loved ones.
No matter how you keep the fire burning this winter, we hope you’ll remember to make a Rowing Pad part of your training. Keep it spinning, friends!
