The Rowing Ireland 1K Classic returns to Lough Rinn on Saturday 19 and Sunday 20 September, offering J13’s – J15’s and masters rowers from across Ireland the opportunity to race over 1,000 metres on one of the country’s premier rowing courses.
For the juniors lining up at Lough Rinn this September, it is worth remembering just where a race at the 1K Classic can lead.
From Methody J15 to the World Stage
Back in 2022, a young Methodist College Belfast athlete named Sophia Young lined up at the Rowing Ireland 1K Classic.
Young was still a J15 athlete, racing in the three seat of the Methody J15 quad. At the time, it was another opportunity for a promising young rower to gain valuable racing experience.
Four years later, the picture looks very different.
In July 2026, at just 19 years of age, Sophia represented Ireland in the Women’s Single Sculls at the World Rowing Under 23 Championships. On the waters of Duisburg, Germany, Young secured a silver medal.
Only weeks later, she stepped up to senior international team, gaining selection into the women’s 4x at the 2026 World Rowing Championships in Amsterdam alongside Emily Hegarty, Alison Bergin and Isobel Clements.
In doing so, Sophia Young became the first athlete to have raced at the Rowing Ireland 1K Classic and go on to compete at the World Rowing Championships.
And perhaps somewhere among the junior crews racing at Lough Rinn on September 19 and 20 is another athlete taking one of those first steps.
We are still seeking volunteers to support the delivery of the regatta across a number of key roles. For more information visit here
Entries close Thursday, 10 September at 7:00pm.
