45th International Waterbike Regatta – Rostock 2026

The 45th International Waterbike Regatta (IWR) will take place from 27–31 May 2026 in the Hanseatic and University City of Rostock, Germany.
At the IGA Park, more than 15 teams with over 300 participating engineering talents will compete with high-performance, self-built waterbikes in thrilling races.

The International Waterbike Regatta has been held annually since 1978. It brings together students—primarily from naval architecture, marine engineering, and mechanical engineering—from universities across Europe.

Teams design, build, and optimize their own high-performance human-powered boats. While the rules allow great creative freedom, they also set strict technical limits:

• Maximum boat length: 6 meters
• The boat may not be wider than it is long
• Propulsion must be human-powered
• The majority of propulsion must come from the legs
• Two riders per boat

Over the years, this has led to a wide variety of innovative and fascinating boat concepts. At the same time, the IWR promotes international exchange, teamwork, and hands-on engineering.

The IWR 2026 will be hosted in Rostock, Germany, at the IGA Park, a well-known venue offering excellent conditions for races and high public visibility.

Event Facts:

• Location: IGA Park, Rostock
• Date: 27–31 May 2026
• Boats: 30+
• Participants: 300+ students and team members

Preliminary Event Schedule

• Wednesday: Arrival of teams & Opening Ceremony
• Thursday: Qualification races, Bollard Pull, Acceleration
• Friday: Semi-finals, Long Distance, Bollard Pull, Acceleration
• Saturday: Finals, Award Ceremony & Closing Party
• Sunday: Departure of teams

Traditionally, seven disciplines testing speed, maneuverability, control, and propulsion power under competitive conditions are contested at the IWR:

• 100 m Sprint
• 100 m Slalom
• Forward – Stop – Backward
• Long Distance
• Acceleration
• Bollard Pull
• Secret Mission

Each year, teams continuously refine and redesign their boats. Technical creativity and engineering excellence are honored through the Innovation Award.

New in 2026:
For the first time, the Innovation Award will count towards the overall ranking, placing even greater emphasis on innovative design and engineering solutions.

• Mainly open to university teams from shipbuilding, marine engineering, and related disciplines
• Boats must be fully self-designed and self-built
• Two riders compete per boat
• Teams participate in all official disciplines

• Maximum length: 6 m
• Boat may not be wider than its length
• Human-powered propulsion only
• The primary drive force must come from the legs

A detailed technical rulebook will be provided separately.

The International Waterbike Regatta has been supported by industry partners for many years. For IWR 2026, we aim to offer students an unforgettable yet affordable international engineering competition—this is only possible with strong partners.

Your Benefits as a Partner

• Direct access to highly qualified engineering students
  • Naval architecture, mechanical engineering, and marine technology
• Strong public visibility at the IGA Park
  • High visitor numbers during the event
• Brand presence in an academic and technical environment
  • Logo placement on banners, in the official program booklet, and on the event website
• Position your brand as innovative and engineering-focused