Dutch crews make up the second largest international contingent at Henley Royal Regatta, but M.S.R.V. Saurus hasn’t been between the booms for almost three decades. Here’s why they came back.
Year on year, the tulip nation fields impressive numbers of boats for Henley Royal Regatta, and most years the same familiar club names appear on the entry list. With 205 overseas crews entered into this year’s Regatta, 39 belonged to the Netherlands - the second highest international contingent outside of the USA.
However, amongst the many recognisable Dutch blazers on the banks this year, is one making its first appearance in 27 years.
M.S.R.V. Saurus, the Netherlands, last set their boats on the iconic waters of Henley-on-Thames in 1999. Founded 40 years ago, this university boat club has returned in 2026 to enter The Prince Albert Challenge Cup for Student Open Four Oars with Coxswain. Whilst Dutch rowing runs on historical rivalries, Coach Sebastian Fortineau believes the Regatta brings something new to those relationships, as they soften in favour of supporting their fellow compatriots.
That sense of unity is put to the test, however, on the day of the Draw, traditionally held on the Saturday evening after Qualifying Races. Unselected names are pulled randomly from The Grand Challenge Cup to determine the matchups for the following week. For a nation sending so many crews, it brings its own unique layer of tension.
"It's the only event I can think of where you can race the best of the best - whether that's in your category or even Olympians"
"It's always a bit nerve-wracking when the draw comes out to not get a Dutch crew in the first round, since we tend to race each other quite often back home."
If and when the Draw falls favourably, they can relax and prepare to cheer on their nation’s crews freely, hoping to bring success back to the House of Orange.
Henley had always felt almost out of reach for Saurus. It was an event admired from afar rather than one they expected to reach themselves. That changed this season, when podium finishes in the U23 pair and victories in the coxed fours on both days of the Ghent International May Regatta convinced Saurus that the time had come to make the journey.
But for Fortineau, Henley's appeal stretches far beyond the racing.
"It's the only event I can think of where you can race the best of the best - whether that's in your category or even Olympians - and at the same time have school crews and students. That combination is what really makes it special."
That unique mix of athletes, all sharing the same stretch of water, is part of what has made Henley Royal Regatta a bucket-list destination for generations of rowers across the world.
Getting there, however, is no small task. For a club returning for the first time in 27 years, there was no recent institutional memory to rely on.
"Until we actually set foot here, it's very much one big Google Drive with all the information and all the Excel sheets. There are so many moving pieces to organise from afar. Even things like checking passports, ferry delays and getting the boat here become part of the challenge."
Saurus' return ended in the opening round of The Prince Albert Challenge Cup, where they remained in contention with Oxford University 'B' before the British crew found another gear to win by one and a quarter lengths.
But the result was never what was going to define the week.
"If the guys can race their best race and put it all out there, I think that's what we came here to do. The result is sort of a bonus, whether it's a win or a loss."
Fortineau hopes this year's appearance marks the beginning of a new chapter for Saurus.
"The big thing is to inspire and set a new standard for the club - to show it's not unreachable. Hopefully next year we can go one round further, and in a few years maybe win."
For a club making its first Henley Royal Regatta appearance since 1999, that ambition proves to be the most important result of all.
