British Rowing and Swift Racing UK announce partnership to develop coastal sculling

February 19, 2025

The two organisations will work together to support the strategic development and growth of coastal sculling nationally through the LA2028 Olympic cycle

British Rowing is excited to announce Swift Racing UK as a coastal sculling equipment and event supplier. The partners will work closely together to help clubs deliver this growing discipline of the sport, providing easier access to coastal equipment for those that want to start a new programme, as well as helping to run a calendar of new club-level coastal sculling competitions that will – in the longer term – increase talent identification for the international beach sprint format.

British Rowing Head of Community Chris Farrell said, “Together, we aim to increase the number of clubs that are delivering and/or engaging with coastal sculling activity alongside their traditional forms of coastal rowing as part of the Coastal Sculling Academy programme. We’re looking forward to being able to support these clubs with equipment as well as expertise to enable them to get more people out coastal sculling!”

Swift Racing UK will help Coastal Sculling Academy clubs to:

Access a discounted equipment package of World Rowing-standard boats and equipment
Develop coaches and volunteers to improve the delivery of coastal sculling activity for their existing members and as part of exciting learn to row outreach programmes
Deliver competitions
Work collaboratively to create a way to engage, introduce and grow the number of people being able to access this part of the sport, including Performance Talent ID.

As a national delivery partner of coastal sculling competitions, Swift Racing UK will also help Coastal Sculling Academies and British Rowing with access to its staff, a trailer of equipment, boats, and the event kit to set these up, to enable more competitions to be run in each region, as well as supporting the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships.

Speaking about the partnership, Pete Wells from Swift Racing UK said, “This collaboration represents a fantastic opportunity for clubs and rowers to engage with coastal sculling in a way that hasn’t been possible before. By working together, we’re bringing resources, expertise, and equipment to the forefront, ensuring that coastal sculling continues to thrive.”