Bears head south for first competition of 2026.
Bears Head To California Challenge Cup For Campaign Opener
California women’s rowing will send two varsity eight crews – “Cal Blue” and “Cal Gold” – to the California Challenge Cup hosted by UC Irvine in Newport Beach this Saturday to face several top boats from Southern California schools.
The competition format consists of a series of rotating dual races over approximately 1400 meters. Cal Blue will take the water first to face Long Beach State at 7:30 a.m. PT, before Cal Gold squares off with host UC Irvine at 7:35 a.m. as part of round one.
In round two, Cal Blue will race UC Santa Barbara at 9:10 a.m., with Cal Gold’s head-to-head with Orange Coast College scheduled to immediately follow at 9:15 a.m. Winners of each dual will advance to round 3 to compete for three trophies, which will be awarded at the conclusion of the regatta around 12:15 p.m.
The Golden Bears enter the 2026 campaign ranked 10th in the nation, according to the CRCA Preseason Coaches Poll. Cal is ranked behind only No. 1 Stanford and No. 8 Virginia in the ACC.
The Bears are looking to build upon their ninth-place overall finish at the 2025 NCAA Championships and their fourth-place finish at the ACC Championships last season.
The ACC recently announced Cal senior Minou Bouman as a member of the ACC Preseason Watch List. Bouman was named to the 2025 CRCA All-American Second Team, the All-ACC First Team and the ACC’s All-Academic Team last season, after playing a key role in Cal’s top varsity eight crew that finished third at the ACC Championships and fourth in the petite final at the NCAA Championships.
California Cup Challenge – Saturday, Feb. 28
7:30 a.m. – Cal Blue vs. LBSU 1V8+
7:35 a.m. – Cal Gold vs. UC Irvine 1V8+
9:10 a.m. – Cal Blue vs. UCSB 1V8+
*All times PT
Spectators are encouraged to set up on the beach near the Marina Park Community Center lighthouse to best observe and listen to race audio and announcing. Fans unable to attend in person can watch the live stream here or follow along via live results here.
STAY POSTED
For further coverage of Cal women’s rowing, follow the Bears on Instagram (@calwrowing) and Facebook (Cal Crew).