The fast-paced discipline of Beach Sprint rowing has enjoyed a rapid rise in recent years, and that growth has seen its inclusion at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Usually confined to designated sites, Beach Sprint will mark the first time that a rowing event will take place on the ocean during a Games.
Combining speed, strategy, and spectacle, it differs dramatically from traditional rowing on calm rivers or lakes.
Rather, it unfolds on the open coast, with athletes sprinting across sand, navigating through surf, and racing head-to-head on short, high-intensity courses.
The event is one of the most dynamic formats rowing has to offer, designed to bring the excitement of racing closer to spectators and the natural energy of the beach.
What is the format?
Each beach sprint race begins not on the water, but on the sand. Competitors start with a short beach run of approximately 10–15 meters to reach their boats, which are positioned at the water’s edge.
The rowing course is typically 250 meters out to sea from the beach, with a single turn buoy marking the halfway point. Competitors race straight out to the buoy, perform a 180-degree turn, and then sprint back to shore.
Upon reaching the beach, rowers jump from their boats, sprint back up the sand, and finish by crossing the finish line on foot.
Races are usually run in a knockout format with two boats racing head-to-head in each heat with the winners progressing and the losers being eliminated.
What equipment is required?
Beach sprint rowing uses coastal rowing boats, which differ significantly from the sleek, narrow shells used in traditional rowing.
Coastal boats are wider, heavier, and more stable, designed to handle waves, wind, and choppy water.
They can withstand collisions with surf or sand and are easier to manoeuvre through unpredictable coastal conditions.
The categories that will be included at LA2028 will be men’s and women’s solo and mixed double sculls and will take place on the Belmont Shore’s Long Beach zone.
The mixed-gender format is a key feature of beach sprint rowing, aligning with modern efforts to ensure gender equality and inclusivity in international sport.
What are the skills and strategy involved?
Beach sprint rowing demands a unique combination of athletic abilities. Rowers must be explosive sprinters, technically skilled boat handlers, and adaptable strategists.
Unlike traditional rowing, where conditions are relatively uniform, coastal racing requires constant adjustment to waves, currents, and wind.
The key elements athletes need to master are quick transitions from running to rowing and back again, wave reading, precise boat control, and explosive power over a short distance, rather than long-distance endurance.
Great Britain's involvement
The GB Beach Sprint Team have enjoyed a remarkable rise in performance in recent years, with medals in both the women's solo and mixed doubles at the 2022 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals held in Wales.
A silver for Helen Glover on return from her performance at Tokyo 2020 was paired with mixed doubles silver for Charles Cousins and Clare Jamison.
In 2023, British Rowing claimed its first World Beach Sprint title in the u19s mixed doubles, while Laura Mckenzie and Sam Scrimgeour clinched another mixed doubles silver in the senior race.
Last season saw Jamison return, this time with a women's solo silver medal, with the upcoming European championships a further opportunity to deliver on the international stage.
A new era for rowing
Beach sprint rowing has revitalised the sport by making it more accessible and exciting for both athletes and audiences.
Races take place close to shore, where spectators can watch every moment, from the sprint start to the dramatic beach finish. The coastal setting adds a festival-like atmosphere, often accompanied by music, commentary, and local community involvement.
Sportsbeat 2025