It’s official. We are now in the Olympic cycle for Los Angeles 2028, marking the Olympic debut of coastal rowing. With this comes the financial support beach sprint rowing has long awaited. The announcement of a funded world-class programme (via the policy for the 2025 squad) and recent indications of its selection criteria raise an important question: how well does flat-water prowess translate to the coast?
In previous articles, I’ve explained the coastal format, but here, I intend to evaluate the specific differences between the qualities required for river rowing versus the sea.
The Rower
At present, there is no single body type that dominates the coastal discipline, unlike the lean, leg-dominant giants we associate with the eights.
Early success has come from both lightweight and heavyweight rowers. The British 2024 Men’s Open Champion is none other than former GB lightweight Sam Scrimgeour, with Austrian lightweight Iurii Sucak taking second place, and towering 6’8” Cameron Buchan securing third.
Meanwhile, the GB 2024 squad selection, particularly on the men’s side, demonstrates a new school of thought for the discipline. Lightweights are beginning to assert a stronger grip on the small boat spots (O1x, Mix2x), while the mixed quad is starting to mirror the composition of an eight.
The race
The most obvious difference between the two formats is just that, the format. Coastal rowing features 500m races compared to the 2000m standard on flat water. However, that does not mean it’s an easier ride or a simple day at the beach. Coastal races vary significantly in duration due to conditions, large waves, rip tides, and strong gusts of wind all play a role, introducing factors that rarely affect flat-water racing.
The unpredictability of what comes next sets the discipline apart from the monotony of river rowing. In coastal rowing, every step of the race is different, with sand sprints, water entries, slaloms, and 180-degree turns requiring constant adaptation. A coastal rower must develop an understanding of the sea and its conditions, knowing when to take a stroke, when to lift their blades out of the water, and where a buoy is while rating in the high 30s through five-foot swells. Success demands a thinking rower – someone who, in the heat of a race and the exhaustion that follows, can strategize and adjust to whatever is thrown at them.
The equipment
One look at a coastal boat, and you’ll know something is different. Not only is it three times the width of its flat-water counterpart, but its minimum weight is 2.5 times that of a standard river single. And then there’s the missing stern. Instead, coastal boats feature a self-draining system with a flap to allow water to exit, counterbalanced by a reinforced bow to handle rough conditions.
The sport of coastal rowing has also sought to level the playing field. Unlike flat-water racing, where high-performance hulls can provide a competitive edge, coastal boats are pooled, making boat setup a crucial part of race preparation. The only adjustable aspects are the footplate position and the oar length. The latter has become a topic of increasing study and personal preference, with many experienced rowers now favoring shorter blades. Concept2 has even developed specialized coastal oars to accommodate this evolving trend.
The verdict
While there are clear contrasts between river and coastal rowing, they remain two sides of the same coin. As the discipline continues to evolve, so too will the relationship between the two formats, perhaps one day even complementing each other’s skill sets more directly.
Recent GB squads feature both longtime coastal specialists and newcomers, each bringing fresh perspectives and driving the team forward. With continued top performances and growing investment in the sport, the transition from river to coastal rowing may become smoother than ever before.
About The Author
Discover more from JRN
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
