CONNOR'S ERG 2026

This February row your heart out for brain cancer

Hosted by the Robert Connor Dawes (RCD) Foundation, Connor’s Erg is a rowing challenge dedicated to raising funds and awareness for kids with brain cancer. We're inviting universities, gyms, rowing clubs and individuals to join us in the ultimate rowing challenge.

Use your brawn for the brain this February to support research and treatments for paediatric brain cancer—the #1 disease killer of young people.

Registrations are now open!

USA EVENT Australia EVENT

BE LIKE JEAN

RCD Foundation Legacy Ambassador, brain cancer survivor and Olympic rower, Jean Mitchell is a superstar! Can you take on the Jean Machine? She averages 6.5km on the erg each day.

How it works:

1. Register — it’s free and easy
Sign up for Connor’s Erg and participate as an individual or as a team (your school, gym or workplace can join the fun)

2. Set your challenge
How close can you get to Jean’s daily 6.5 km on the erg? Match it, half it, do it as a team, your call.

3. Nominate someone to join you
Call out a teammate, friend, colleague or rival to take on the challenge too.

4. Fundraise
Raise funds to support kids and young adults with brain cancer, every kilometre counts.

M&J.T just donated $7.44
Peter just donated $52.75
Brady Farrell just donated $105.50
Holly Graves just donated $21.60
Jon just donated $52.75
Linda Mann just donated $21.10
Magnus just donated $15.82
Sophia Gruenling just donated $52.75
The McCartney Family just donated $105.50
Andrew just donated $105.50
Susan and Peter Turney just donated $52.75
Cindy and Russell Harper just donated $108
Anonymous just donated $100
Lauren Yontz just donated $105.50
jon strasman and tom younker just donated $100
Tim and Jenny Rake just donated $105.50
Carrie Pettey just donated $105.50
Anonymous just donated $7.45
Amy Curlis just donated $3.72
Mary Ellen Lesniak just donated $52.75

2026 FUNDRAISING TOTAL

USD
Raised So Far

$26,701

Your Chance to Win!

This year we have lots of awesome FUNdraising prizes up for grabs.

Individuals

FUNdraise $100 or more and go in the draw to win a 776BC unisuit.

*In the US and Australia

Teams

Gyms, schools, and rowing clubs who FUNdraise $1000 or more will go in the draw to win a Concept2 rowing machine for their gym/rowing club or school.

*In the US ONLY

2026 Challengers

USA

AUS

Funds raised in the US will support pediatric research projects at Lucille Packhard Children’s Hospital, University of Wisconsin, Dana Farber in Boston, and more. If your school is involved with Connors Erg and has pediatric brain cancer research projects we can work with you to direct funds you raise to your school’s projects.

Funds raised in Australia will go towards high impact research and development projects and music therapy.

Make a Donation (US) Make a Donation (AUS)

#CONNORSERG

Rowing teams, gyms and individuals are encouraged to pick a suitable day and time during February 2026. The event is traditionally done in relay fashion from your own venue. However you can set your own challenge!
Thank you for helping us fight brain cancer, #1 disease killer of young people in the US & Australia.

Read F.A.Q.s

Spirited Connor

Connor was Wisconsin born (1994) but Australian raised (2000-2013). Apart from academics which he easily excelled at, his passion was rowing. He began rowing at 14 as a student at Brighton Grammar School in Melbourne Australia.

Learn more