Rektor leads Europe again as Gdańsk students win International Waterbike Regatta 2026

The student team from the Ship Design Students’ Association KORAB at Gdańsk University of Technology returned from Rostock, Germany, with the overall championship title of the 2026 International Waterbike Regatta (IWR). Their human-powered waterbike “Rektor” dominated the competition across multiple technical and endurance disciplines during the three-day event.

Rektor dominates the competition

The Polish-built craft secured first place in the overall standings after achieving top results in several key categories:

• 1st place – Long Distance race (10 km),
• 1st place – Forward-Stop-Backward (FSB),
• 1st place – Acceleration,
• 2nd place – Slalom.

According to the team, the victory resulted from months of engineering work focused on hull optimization, hydrodynamic efficiency and steering system improvements.

Engineering development beyond the podium

In addition to Rektor, the KORAB team entered two other waterbikes: CBG and Dżordż.

CBG finished 10th overall, marking significant progress compared to previous editions. The improvement followed major weight reduction efforts and the implementation of a redesigned steering system.

Meanwhile, Dżordż placed 25th overall and served primarily as a technology test platform. Experimental steering solutions caused technical difficulties during the FSB and Long Distance events, preventing the craft from completing both competitions. Nevertheless, the team emphasized that the collected data and operational experience will support future development projects.

International Waterbike Regatta as a marine engineering platform

Established in 1980, International Waterbike Regatta has become one of Europe’s leading student competitions focused on human-powered marine craft and lightweight hydrodynamic engineering.

Every year, university teams from across Europe compete in seven disciplines testing speed, maneuverability, towing force and operational reliability:

• Sprint,
• Slalom,
• Forward-Stop-Backward,
• Bollardpull,
• Acceleration,
• Long Distance,
• Secret Mission.

Beyond competition itself, the regatta functions as a practical engineering laboratory where students develop competencies in naval architecture, composite materials, propulsion systems and marine control technologies.

Poland to host IWR 2027

Following the victory in Rostock, KORAB officially announced that it will organize International Waterbike Regatta 2027 in Poland.

Preparations are already underway, with the event expected to attract academic engineering teams and marine technology enthusiasts from across Europe. The regatta is also anticipated to strengthen the visibility of Poland’s maritime engineering sector and academic innovation ecosystem.

EU-funded engineering development program

Gdańsk University of Technology is currently implementing the Engineers’ Regatta 2026 project, financed under the European Funds for Social Development 2021–2027 programme.

The initiative received funding of PLN 386,620 and supports the development of practical engineering skills through prototype construction, participation in international competitions and advancement of innovative marine technologies.