JAMESTOWN – Rowing is leaving the calm of flat water behind this weekend as competitors bring a faster, beachside version of the sport to the Jamestown Coastal Clash.
First developed in 2011 and officially sanctioned for competition in 2015, beach sprint rowing was created to make the sport more accessible and exciting for both competitors and spectators.
“As a spectator, you can stand on the beach and watch the entire thing,” said Sharon Kriz, director of rowing at the Williamsburg Boat Club. “It’s a lot more beach vibes, kind of like beach volleyball.”
The event begins with competitors sprinting from the beach to their boats before navigating a zigzag course around three buoys. After rowing out 250 meters, athletes return to shore and race to the finish line. The entire event is typically completed in less than four minutes, making it a faster-paced competition than traditional rowing events, which can last from seven to 20 minutes.
Beach sprint rowing events have been held along the East Coast in places such as Massachusetts and Florida. The sport will make its Olympic debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Games. This weekend’s free event, hosted by the Williamsburg Boat Club, is the first of its kind in Virginia.
The Jamestown Coastal Clash begins Saturday, Aug. 1, and Sunday, Aug. 2, at Jamestown Beach Event Park. Saturday’s competition begins with time trials at 1 p.m., followed by knockout rounds at 5 p.m. Semifinal and final races are scheduled Sunday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., followed by an awards ceremony.. A post-race gathering is planned Saturday afternoon at Billsburg Brewery, across from the beach.
“I’ve been a rowing coach for 20 years,” said Kriz. “This is my first time running and seeing an event like this. I think it’s going to be very exciting and I think it’s going to be a growing part of the sport over the next few years.”
Among the competitors are the Williamsburg Rowing team of Porter Redgate and Arden Aponte, who earned a bronze medal at a Boston event earlier this week. They will be joined in Jamestown by competitors in mens, womens and childrens divisions.
Competition remains the focal point for Kriz, a former U.S. national rowing team member, but she said she also hopes to create a fun environment for the whole community to be a part of.
“We’re gonna be there all day Saturday and Sunday. We’ll have music playing, an announcer making things exciting and games for spectators,” said Kriz. “It’ll be good beach vibes and racing!”
