Lightweight rowing remains one of the most thrilling events to watch, thanks to the strict weight limits that often result in tightly matched and fiercely competitive races. With lightweight rowing now entirely absent from the Olympic programme, BUCS Regatta continues to stand out as one of the premier stages for top domestic lightweight talent.
In 2025, the competition promises even more excitement. The lightweight intermediate event is no more, and this has led to a field of over 30 athletes entering the championship event. The stage is set for an incredibly competitive and potentially unpredictable race. All eyes will be on this event to see who rises to the challenge this weekend.
Jack Norton – University of Bath
Returning to the Championship Lightweight Singles after a strong third-place finish last year, Norton comes into this year’s event with valuable experience and momentum. Representing the University of Bath, Norton has continued to build on his success, having stepped up from winning the Intermediate Lightweight Singles at BUCS Regatta two years ago. Known for his technical efficiency and consistency under pressure, Norton will be aiming to improve on his previous podium finish. With another year of training and racing at the championship level under his belt, he poses a serious threat to the top of the field and should not be underestimated.
Thomas Zammitt – University of Reading
Reading University Boat Club is arguably the premier sculling institution in the country, dominating most sculling events across both open and lightweight categories. RUBC has consistently achieved podium finishes, including five golds and a silver at BUCS Head in February. The club is not short of talent in this event, with four athletes entered.
Zammitt, in particular, is one to watch. He has claimed gold medals at the Ghent Spring Regatta and won the British Rowing Junior Championships in 2023. With a seventh place finish at last year’s event, he is no stranger to high-stakes racing in a single scull.
Ollie Plank – Edinburgh University Boat Club
As a first-year rower for Edinburgh University Boat Club, Plank enters the Men’s Championship Lightweight Singles event with impressive potential. Having developed on the Scottish Rowing circuit, starting at Stirling Rowing Club before moving to Glasgow Academy, Plank is accustomed to adapting quickly to new environments. The culture of success surrounding EUBC has produced numerous high-performing athletes in the lightweight category. With a strong technical foundation, supported by state-of-the-art facilities and a legacy of success, Plank has a solid platform to continue developing his skills.
Although still early in his rowing career, he is a competitor to watch in this year’s event, he will look to make a mark in the Championship Lightweight Singles.
Adam McKinley – Queen’s University Belfast.
McKinley enters the Men’s Championship Lightweight Singles event as an accomplished lightweight athlete. McKinley’s standout performance at last year’s regatta was taking home gold in the Championship Lightweight Double. This achievement marks him as one of the top contenders in this year’s event. His success in the double demonstrates not only his skill and technique but also his ability to work seamlessly with a partner, showcasing his mental strength and adaptability.
As a member of one of the most successful sculling programs on the circuit, with a history of producing top-level rowers McKinley will have further benefited from the top tier facilities at QUBC over the last twelve months. With his combination of experience, technical ability, and proven performance in championship-level events, McKinley is a strong contender to watch in the Championship Lightweight Singles.
Ben Macdonald – Hartpury University Boat Club
Macdonald represents Hartpury University Boat Club in the Men’s Championship Lightweight Singles for the first time, having recently ventured into beach sprints rowing, a fast-paced and highly technical discipline that combines explosive power with agility and tactical awareness. This experience adds an interesting dimension to his racing, likely sharpening his starts, responsiveness, and sprint finishes.
Macdonald benefits from Hartpury’s high-performance environment, with the club rapidly becoming one of the UK’s standout university rowing programs. With strong connections to the GB Rowing Team’s ‘Start’ programme and access to top coaching and facilities, Macdonald has the support system to transition seamlessly between formats and potentially excel on the flatwater stage.
Still developing as a championship-level athlete, Macdonald will be looking to make an impression in this year’s event. His background in both traditional sculling and beach sprints suggests he could surprise the field, particularly if conditions at Holme Pierrepont turn choppy, as they sometimes do.
Predictions:
- Gold – Jack Norton
- Silver – Adam McKinley
- Bronze – Thomas Zammitt
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