A look forward at this weekend’s Offshore Championships & Beach Sprint Finals in Saundersfoot

Beginners and Olympians alike are heading down to Saundersfoot this weekend to take part in the coastal rowing event, hosted for the first time in Wales this year.

This weekend sees the British Rowing Offshore Championships & Beach Sprint Finals taking place in Saundersfoot, Wales.

With a record-breaking number of entries, the event is being hosted at the same place as October’s World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals, giving potential competitors the opportunity to scope out the course for the international event later this year.

“Rarely are we racing former Olympians whilst battling the waves!”

“The opportunity to race at the same beach that will be used for the World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprints Finals in October has meant a huge entry of competitors, who will all be heading to Saundersfoot beach this weekend.” Said Sarah Gregory, Chair of the Organising Committee.

“With competitors travelling from the UK mainland, we also have Jersey, Guernsey, Ireland, Sweden and Italy represented, which should make for some exciting racing!”

We managed to catch up with Gary Briggs, Vice-Captain of Jersey Rowing Club, as he travelled to South Wales yesterday with 34 competitors – with even more members of the club travelling separately.

Credit: Gary Briggs / Jersey Rowing Club

“The return of overseas competitors this year is very exciting for us, including some of the names we’ve raced against in 2021 at the World Championships or European Rowing Coastal Challenge, and it’s always good to come up against some of the biggest names in coastal rowing. It looks like the winds will be quite strong this weekend, which is great for some of our more experienced rowers and will be great experience for the rest of us!  It’s often rough in Jersey, but rarely are we racing former Olympians whilst battling the waves!”

“Hopefully we can keep driving participation in the sport”

Joining the list of competitors is former GB rower and two times Olympic Champion Helen Glover, competing for Marlow RC in the WC 1x (women’s coastal solos) at the Beach Sprint Finals on Sunday. Helen will be doubling up on her racing, also taking part in the MxC 2x (mixed coastal doubles) in a composite crew with fellow Olympian Charles Cousins, representing Rob Roy BC.

Charles will also be taking part in the Offshore Championships earlier in the weekend, racing in the Open Coastal Doubles with Jersey rower Des Nevitt.

“The BROC/BRBS events this year have caused a huge buzz around the club, and indeed the island due to the number of participants we have, and hopefully we can build on last year’s amazing results to keep driving participation in the sport.” added Gary Briggs. “On a personal level, to be competing at the same event as Olympians is a huge honour and shows the pull and development of the sport, I think we’re hoping she’ll have time for a few selfies!”

A big thank you to all those have entered, and all of those volunteering both in the organising of the event and on the day. Good luck!

Find the draw and entry list for on our dedicated event page here.