Recently, commentary duties took me up to East Sands in St Andrews for the inaugural Saints Coastal Regatta. The event was showcasing the new Beach Sprints format which World Rowing and FISA hope will help engage a new audience and help rowing appeal to the masses. The Le Mans style start on the beach before sunning to the sea and leaping into boats before a 250m slalom and then a sprint return is a more dynamic and exciting version of rowing than the 2000m course seen on TV, particularly when Poseidon starts to churn up the sea.
Beach sprints are a very good leveller. It gives plucky under dogs an opportunity to compete against those who have raced against World Champions and those who have been to the Olympic Games. It is highly likely that this will feature in the 2028 LA Olympic Games and for good reason. The beach setting is perfect for DJs, BBQs and some cracking summer vibes - Beach Sprints would fit right in at Tynemouth and King Edward’s Bay.
I love rowing, it’s been one of the best parts of my life for over 10 years. However, it’s a sport that shies away from its commercial potential and the opportunities that could be out there. Cricket has benefited hugely from The Hundred, Formula 1 has seen its engagement go into 6th gear in America after Netflix released Drive To Survive. So when will someone in the rowing world seize the day? The indoor rowing world is making the most of this opportunity, capitalising on the growth of CrossFit, Hydrow’s indoor rowing machines are making waves so it’s time for water rowing to take the next step and Beach Sprints could be the answer to their problems and keep rowing firmly cemented as one of the pillars of the Olympic Games and competitive sport.