2023 England Rowing Beach Sprint team announcement

The England Rowing Beach Sprint Team will field a full team of eight rowers from across England at the second Home International Rowing Beach Sprints in Saundersfoot, Wales on 9 September 2023

The four traditional home nations of England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales will be joined this year by guests Jersey in Saundersfoot, the venue for the World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals in 2022.

England Team Captain Evelyn Pakule from Lea RC said, “Having beach sprinted for the second year in a row, I understand that you cannot predict what the sea will throw at you, which makes every race even more exciting as there are new challenges and obstacles you need to overcome ‘in the moment’.”

Evelyn is one of the four rowers who will once again be putting on the England kit. She added, “I am really proud to be part of the England Beach Sprint Team and am looking forward to competing with the rest of the team. I have all the tools, amazing coaches and the right mindset to help me to do well. With hard work, dedication and belief there are no limits!”

The team will be racing in six events as well as a team relay across both junior and senior categories, through time trials, semi- finals and finals. They are hoping to claim the team trophy, which Scotland won last year.

“I am very excited to be part of this new and emerging discipline in rowing,” said Ashley Cowley of Newark RC who will be representing England for the sixth time in the Mixed double with Emily Faithful of Shanklin Sandown RC after competing for England five times in classic rowing at the Home International Rowing Regatta. This will be his first representation in the beach sprint format. “Racing for England has always been a highlight for me and I am looking forward to flying the flag once again, this time on the beach in Saundersfoot.”

Other returning England rowers include Hal Flowerdew (Tynemouth RC) and Melissa Shaw (Shoreham RC) both of whom competed in the Mixed double at the 2022 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in Namibia. Both rowers will be competing in their respective solos.

Junior boats see three brand new faces representing England for the first time. Bear Cochrane (The King’s School Canterbury BC) will be racing in the Junior men’s solo whilst Fergus McKeown (The Kings School Chester RC) and Leah Saunders (Evesham RC) will be competing in the Junior mixed double.

Rachael Ball, Team Manager for England said, “After watching the racing at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships in July I’m excited to be leading the team away in Wales for the first time.” She added, ”It’s great to see Jersey being invited to take part and bring an extra dynamic to the event.”

James Andrews, England Pathway Manager, said,  “I’m intrigued to see what our England Team will be able to achieve at this year’s Home International Beach Sprints. Scotland had a very successful event last year and I’m expecting all the Home Nations to put forward strong competition again this year. I hope that with more consistency across the England Team we will be able to give the other Home Nations a good challenge to take home The Guin Batten Beach Sprints Trophy for the first time.”

England Rowing Beach Sprint Team 2023

Women’s Solo (CW1x)

Melissa Shaw (Shoreham RC)

Men’s Solo (CM1x)

Hal Flowerdew (Tynemouth RC)

Mixed Double (CMix2x)

Ashley Cowley (Newark RC)
Emily Faithful (Shanklin Sandown RC)

Junior Women’s Solo (CJW1x)

Evelyn Pakule (Lea RC)

Junior Men’s Solo (CJM1x)

Bear Cochrane (The King’s School Canterbury BC)

Junior Mixed Double (CJMix2x)

Fergus McKeown (The Kings School Chester RC)
Leah Saunders (Evesham RC)

Senior Reserves and Boat Handlers (Travelling)

Joe Bright (Thames RC)
Lucy Freeman (Tees RC)

Junior Reserves (Non-travelling)

Sol Chamberlain-Hyde (Lymington ARC)
Summer Harlow (Exeter RC)

Boat Handlers

Sarah Lanchester-Gregory (Birmingham RC)
Mark Hyson (Tynemouth RC)
Richard Cochrane (The King’s School Canterbury BC)
Daisy Faithfull (Shanklin Sandown RC)

Coaches

Yewande Adesida (Lea RC)
Kath Coleman-Jones (BTC Southampton RC)

Team Support

Team Manager: Rachael Ball (Emanuel School BC)
Safeguarding Officer: Lucy McNulty (Molesey BC)
Lead Coach: Lucy Hart (British Rowing)
Beach Coordinator: Bekki Bradley (Coastal Rowing Academy Club)
Umpire: Heidi Hackett (The Grange School RC)
Team Delegate: Eira Parry (Walton RC)
England Pathway Manager: James Andrews (British Rowing)