07 Oct 2025
The nominations for all 2025 World Rowing Awards are now open
The World Rowing Awards are an annual celebration of the best in international Rowing.
Hosted virtually since the pandemic, the World Rowing Awards were awarded live on stage last year in a festive evening environment, in the city centre of Seville. Following on the success of that ceremony last year, the 2025 World Rowing Awards will again be staged live, in the Olympic Capital of Lausanne, Switzerland.
The 2025 World Rowing Awards ceremony, set to be held on Saturday, 24 January 2026, will see eight awards be presented. Nominations are now open for all eight awards :
World Rowing Men’s Crew of the Year
The World Rowing men’s crew of the year award is awarded annually to a men’s crew or a male rower for their outstanding and important achievements in rowing. For a male rower or a men’s crew to be entitled to be eligible for the award, they must have won a World Championship title in the current year, or a title at the Olympic Games, should it be an Olympic year.
World Rowing Women’s Crew of the Year
The World Rowing women’s crew of the year award is awarded annually to a women’s crew or a woman rower for their outstanding and important achievements in rowing. For a woman rower or a women’s crew to be eligible for the award, they must have won a World Championship title in the current year, or a title at the Olympic Games, should it be an Olympic year.
World Rowing Para Crew of the Year
The World Rowing Para Crew of the Year Award is awarded annually to a para-rower or para-crew for their outstanding and important achievement in rowing.
For a para rower or a para crew to be eligible for the award, they must have won a World Championship title in the current year, or a title at the Paralympic Games, should it be a Paralympic year.
World Rowing Coach of the Year
The World Rowing coach of the Year Award is annually awarded to a coach that has coached a World medallist crew in the current year, or in the Olympic or Paralympic Games of Paris 2024 had a successful crew(s), and who demonstrates a unique feature, eg has overcome a significant obstacle to succeed.
Thomas Keller Medal Award
The Thomas Keller Medal is the highest distinction in the sport of rowing. It is awarded to recognise an exceptional international rowing career as well as exemplary sportsmanship and legendary aspects.
Any retired rower (not more than 5 years) who has had a long and successful career in the rowing field, and who has made an important contribution to rowing as a competitor but also as a sport personality, is intitled to be nominated for this award.
In principle, only one medal may be awarded in any one year.
World Rowing Distinguished Services to International Rowing Award
This award recognizes an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to the development of international rowing.
Nominees are considered based on their contribution to the sport made through grass-roots development, involvement in the organisation of large rowing events and long-term service to rowing.
The Rowing Programme of the Year Award
This award will be given to any club, school, or university that with their effort, had a crucial role in developing this sport, underscoring World Rowing’s commitment on making the Rowing community bigger.
In order to be eligible for this award, some criteria should be met:
The programme cannot be owned or operated by any Member Federation; it excludes National high-performance teams. Applicants need to showcase a well-rounded approach to athlete development, including physical training, community support and mental well-being while at the same time, have a clear commitment to ethical practices and inclusivity.
Applicants need to showcase a well-rounded approach to athlete development, including physical training, community support and mental well-being.
More information about the criteria and to nominate, click here
The Artistic Contribution of the Year Award
This award celebrates the intersection between creativity and sport. The works that can be intitled to nomination include Visual arts, Performance art, Audiovisual art, Craft & Decorative art, literature, still or moving images, or any other artistic medium that reflects the spirit and beauty of Rowing.
In order to be eligible for this award, some criteria should be met:
The artwork must be created during the calendar year of the award, the submitter must have full legal and intellectual property rights on the piece of work.
More information about the criteria and to nominate, click here
The deadline for all nominations is 15 November, 2025 at 11:59pm CET. The finalists will be announced on 15 December 2025 and the winners will be revealed in person at the 2025 World Rowing Awards in Lausanne, Switzerland, on Saturday,24 January 2026.