Second wave of GB Coastal Sculling Academies announced
The six new Academies will join the existing five, created jointly by British Rowing, Welsh Rowing and Scottish Rowing to develop Beach Sprint rowers for international representation
The GB Coastal Sculling Academies were created to identify and develop rowers with the potential to perform at international level in Beach Sprints. Growing in popularity, this fast-paced format of racing will be included in the LA 2028 Olympic programme, as well as at the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
The Academies provide a network of locations around Great Britain with suitable environments for people to try Beach Sprint racing (and coastal sculling), and to train and develop their skills – with the aim of being selected for the GB or Home Nations Beach Sprint teams.
The new academies are:
- Whitby Coastal RC, supported by British Rowing – contact [email protected]
- Scarborough ARC, supported by British Rowing – [email protected]
- Lowestoft RC, supported by British Rowing – [email protected] and [email protected]
- Mersea Island RC, supported by British Rowing – [email protected]
- Bay of Colwyn RC, supported by Welsh Rowing – [email protected]
- Fulham Reach BC, supported by British Rowing – [email protected]
Whitby Coastal RC and Scarborough RC will each host an academy to deliver Coastal Sculling and Beach Sprint opportunities to the Yorkshire coast jointly.
The two new academies at Lowestoft RC and Mersea Island RC will be supported by East Anglia Youth Rowing to deliver Coastal Sculling and Beach Sprint on the East Anglia coast.
The new academy at Bay of Colwyn RC will work in partnership with Welsh Rowing to deliver Coastal Sculling and Beach Sprint opportunities in North Wales.
Fulham Reach BC in London is a special pilot project designed to provide opportunities to young people from the local community, with the aim of identifying potential future talent for the Beach Sprint format. CEO Adam Freeman-Pask said, “Fulham Reach Boat Club is very proud to be GB Coastal Sculling Academy. We want to play to the strengths of the exciting new Beach Sprint format to engage new audiences from diverse backgrounds into an area of the sport that is in its early stages of development and a blank canvas for new ideas and approaches.”
Want to hear more about Beach Sprint teams?
If you’d like to receive further information about the GB and Home Nations Beach Sprint programmes – whether you’re a current or prospective rower, cox, coach, boat handler, or parent of an under-19 – just click below to register your interest
