"The discipline involves a head-to-head format and begins on land with athletes sprinting down the beach and jumping into their boats at the water's edge, then racing out around a buoy before hurtling back to dry land, leaping out of their boats and sprinting up the beach. With frequent close finishes, their final move is to hurl themselves through the air to hit the finish line buzzer first and land, usually, with a face full of sand."
"In a world where people have greater choice over which sports to watch and participate in, and minor sports' world federations are considering how to stay popular and relevant, coastal rowing offers a less predictable and more entertaining format, while simultaneously reconnecting with a historic activity that dates back to around 1900BC in ancient Egypt where it was a significant mode of transport."
Rowers are training in sunny coastal conditions to prepare for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, where Coastal Rowing Beach Sprints will be included. Rowing secured the Beach Sprints discipline after 17 sports proposed extra events to the IOC, leading to five coastal rowing events and the elimination of the lightweight category. The Beach Sprints format features head-to-head races starting with athletes sprinting down the beach, launching boats at the water's edge, circling a buoy, returning to shore and sprinting to hit a finish-line buzzer. The format produces close finishes, a beach-party vibe, broader spectator appeal and reconnects rowing with ancient coastal traditions.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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