Beach Sprints and coastal ROWING

What is coastal rowing?

Coastal rowing involves rowing on rough water, such as oceans, large lakes or rivers. Coastal rowers must deal with waves, wind and currents, and they use open-hulled boats that are more stable and durable than classic rowing boats.  

There are two main formats for coastal racing:

  • Beach sprint racing:  Beach sprint racing is a new and exciting format of rowing that combines running and rowing. Beach sprinters run down a beach to the water, jump into open-hulled coastal rowing shells for a 250-metre slalom course, then return to the beach, jump out of the shell and sprint back to the finish line. 

  • Coastal rowing endurance races:  Coastal race courses are typically approximately 6-8 km long, and involve launching boats from the beach, rowing through open water to a buoy and back to the start;

Beach sprint racing will be part of the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal, the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Australia, and the 2028 Olympic Games in United States. Coastal rowing races include the annual World Rowing Coastal Championships and other national events.  


Why is Hanlan Boat Club the best place to train as a coastal rower? 

  1. Hanlan Boat Club has access to a body of water that provides a variety of water conditions for training, allowing athletes to practice in rough, choppy waves, as well as in flat water.

  2. Hanlan is conveniently located near multiple beach sites, giving athletes an opportunity to perfect their beach entry and exits during mock competitions.

  3. Hanlan has one of the largest fleets of coastal boats in central Canada and integrates coastal rowing training into its youth and adult programming for all of its members.

  4. Hanlan members have competed in the World Beach Sprints Finals (2023), World Coastal Rowing Championships (2022) and Commonwealth Beach Sprints Finals (2022).

Try coastal rowing at Hanlan today!

Hanlan rowers at World Coastal Rowing Championships 2022

Who should I contact if I have questions?

For more information and answers to all of your questions, please contact us at communications@hanlanboatclub.ca.