With the growing interest in beach sprint rowing, the 2024 policy will be a major step in the progression to the now confirmed Los Angeles Olympics 2028 inclusion of the discipline.
Although the sport is yet to receive UK Sport funding, 2024 will likely be used to help base an application for the 2024-28 funding cycle.
This season is expected to be the busiest yet, and this is your guide to how you can represent Great Britain in the fast paced and unpredictable arena of the beach.
General selection information
Selection will be done by a panel of 3, consisting of:
- Tom Pattiachis, Olympic Pathway Manager
- Guin Batten, World Rowing Council Member and Coastal Commission Chair
- Eira Parry, Independent Selector
Selection with occur in two phases:
- Selection opportunity 1 (mid April-mid May): Selection for World Finals and European Championship
- Selection Opportunity 2 (early-mid August): Selection for World Finals and Coupe De La Jenuesse (U19s only)
The Great Britain Rowing Team will select 20 rowers to attend the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, from 13th-15th of September in Genoa, Italy. The team will include Senior and U19 Men’s and Women’s: Solos and Mixed Double, in addition to two reserves. Further, a mixed Coxed quad for seniors and same sex doubles for U19s.
For the Solos, mixed Double, and reserves, selection will occur through the first phase in spring, with rowers needing to attend at least one of the following events:
- Jersey Beach Sprint Regatta, St Hellier, 13-14 April
- English Beach Sprint Regatta, Dorset, 28 April
- Welsh Senior Beach Sprint Championships, Fishguard, 11 May
- Scottish Beach Sprint Championships, St Andrews, 18 May
As well as attending GB Beach Sprint Selection Trial 1, Dorset, 28 April.
From these events, six senior and six U19 rowers will be selected to attend European Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in Gdansk, Poland, 20-23 August, as well as the World Finals in Italy, although crews may be altered within the groups of six between the events.
For the mixed quad and same sex doubles, selection with occur at the second opportunity in August at GB Beach Sprint Trial 2, location TBC, 3-4 August. Attendance is also recommended at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championship in St Andrews, 10-11 August.
U19 rowers will also have the opportunity to race at the Coupe De Le Jenuesse Beach Sprints, with further details to come.
Selection opportunities may involve a number of assessments including ergs (2023 selection used 7-stroke max watts, 250m, 1000m), flat water pieces, sprint running tests, and full beach sprint course.
Other team member opportunities
Cox: The team will select one coxswain, at selection opportunity two. The cox will be selected based on the following criteria: Ability to steer, compatibility with rowers, ability to sprint, competitive weight (55kg+).
Coaches: Coaches seeking team selection are advised to attend as many events as possible. They will be assessed against: team fit, input from selected rowers, additional skills, number of coaches selected, and whether athletes coached have been selected.
To get started in beach sprints please follow the links below, or alternatively email Lucy Hart, British Rowing Beach Sprint Pathway Coach, for information about upcoming taster sessions in the South East and Midlands.
Useful links:
Find your nearest GB Coastal Sculling Academy
Cover image ©Filippi
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