43rd Annual BAYADA Regatta Para-Rowing Races Return to Cooper River Park

Cheer for para-rowers from Greater Philadelphia and across the nation at this fun-filled community day of boat racing.

Philadelphia, PA, September 2, 2026—The 2026 BAYADA Regatta, one of the world’s largest and longest-running rowing competitions for people with disabilities, will take place Sunday, September 27, from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm at the Camden County Boathouse, 7050 N. Park Drive, Pennsauken, New Jersey.

Participants train and practice with their local rowing club and look forward to this annual opportunity to come together and test their skills with people of similar abilities and experience levels.

The BAYADA Regatta welcomes athletes across multiple sport classes, from beginners to Paralympians. Using adaptive boats and equipment, races will include singles, doubles, and sweeps (four para-rowers + coxswain).

"When this regatta began four decades ago, it was the first rowing competition just for people with disabilities,” said BAYADA CEO Bryony Winn, who joined the nonprofit in March. “It’s meaningful to continue to support these extraordinary athletes. I am excited to be there — come join us for a beautiful day in Cooper River Park and see what this community is all about.”

Free and Open to the Public — Donations Welcome

Attendance and parking are free. Most volunteers and spectators park in the large parking lot on the left side of the boathouse. Accessible parking and press parking are available on the right side of the boathouse.

For event information, classification details, and to support the athletes with a donation, visit the BAYADA Regatta website.

Rower Spotlight: Carlos Santory, Philadelphia, PA

Carlos Santory (30) was a combat medic in the US Army before he joined the Philadelphia Fire Department six years ago. He began as a paramedic, then switched to the ladder company. “I’m usually on the big tiller ladder. It looks like a tractor trailer with a guy steering on the back to get around tight corners. That’s one of the funnest spots.”

Then, in the winter of 2025, a car struck Carlos while he was riding his motorcycle. Despite his protective equipment he sustained a brain bleed, and despite attempts to save it, his left leg had to be amputated. His recovery was painful, requiring wound vacs and skin grafts. Back home in a three-story walk up, he took it one day at a time, tackling intense physical therapy to help rebuild his life.

His occupational therapist urged him to try adaptive sports, which led him to join the Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing club. “Rowing is much more challenging than it looks,” Carlos said. “I’m still pretty new, and there’s a lot of technique to work on.” Last year at his first BAYADA Regatta, he wasn’t comfortable with his new prosthetic yet and rowed without it. This year, he’ll row with it in the PR3 double—in a faster, sleeker boat.

Carlos is back to work now and practicing with his club on the Schuylkill River Wednesday nights.

About the BAYADA Regatta

BAYADA Home Health Care has been the primary sponsor of the regatta since 1983, in partnership with Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing (PAR) who founded the event in 1981.