Rowers to get improved experience at Holme Pierrepont Country Park

British Rowing is pleased to have signed a renewed agreement with Serco Leisure regarding the use of Holme Pierrepont Country Park in Nottingham

The venue, which is the home of The National Water Sports Centre, is hosting three British Rowing Championship events in both 2024 and 2025. Having kicked off the 2024 season with the Junior Inter-Regional Regatta in April, focus is now on the British Rowing Masters Championships, which are scheduled to take place on 15-16 June, and have attracted a record entry. The season will culminate with the new, combined British Rowing Junior and Senior Club Championships (BRJSCC), a four day competition to be held 19-22 July.

Over the last few months, British Rowing and Serco Leisure have had ongoing dialogue to improve the experience for the rowing and wider community at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, and all parties are looking forward to seeing those initiatives come to fruition over the coming months and years.

A key focus for this year’s BRJSCC is to improve the experience off the water with enhancements that can then be replicated at other British Rowing competitions. This will include access to live race information, and enhanced audio quality throughout the venue to benefit from the commentary and entertainment. Premium plots for gazebos within the competition zone will be released in the coming weeks and are expected to sell out quickly.

As part of the renewed arrangements with Holme Pierrepont Country Park, the venue is working to improve the catering offering available to attendees with increased outlets available throughout the site serving a wide range of options at times to suit all attendees, including after racing has finished on multi-day competitions.

Whilst Holme Pierrepont is known to rowers as a rowing lake, it also hosts a wealth of other outdoor activities, with something for all of the family. During the BRJSCC, the venue will be offering discounted access to the activities adjacent to the rowing lake including sky trail, paddleboarding and rafting, for competitors and their supporters. Full details of this special offer will be published in the coming weeks.

Aside from competitions, work is being done to support the local rowing community. An initial pilot with local clubs has explored how access and experience at the lake can be improved. A second trial period is planned for the final months of 2024.

Speaking on the refreshed agreement, and plans, British Rowing CEO Alastair Marks said, “I’m extremely grateful for all of the work going on to improve the experience for our rowing community at Holme Pierrepont Country Park. It is a key venue for rowing and host to some of our biggest competitions every year, so these are very important developments. I’m looking forward to attending the two remaining competitions this year and seeing the plans come into action.”

Sean Cummings, Commercial Manager at Holme Pierrepont Country Park, said, “Holme Pierrepont Country Park is dedicated to providing an exceptional experience for all our visitors, including the rowing community. The improvements we are implementing, from enhanced catering options to discounts for spectators and athletes, are all designed to ensure that attendees have a memorable and enjoyable time at our venue. We are thrilled to continue our partnership with British Rowing and look forward to supporting their events and the local rowing clubs with these exciting new developments.”