The Start Line: All eyes on the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships and ‘Lea Mans’
Join us at The Start Line and look ahead to a blockbuster weekend of rowing on the south coast and in Hackney
Credit: Christian Taylor @cjtaylorphotos
Record number of rowers set to race at the British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships
Knoll Beach will play host to the biggest British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships ever from 30-31 August. Among the list of entrants are World and National Champions, Four Nations Series winners and those who have taken up beach sprint rowing for the first time this season. Anything can happen in beach sprints though – and a rogue wave can decide the difference between the chance to go for gold and a knockout.
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Sarah Gregory, Chair of the Organising Committee, said: “We are incredibly excited to host the biggest British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships this weekend. Due to the weather forecast, the Organising Committee has taken the decision to move the racing to Knoll Beach in Studland, which will be familiar to many as a location of one of the GB Beach Sprint Performance Development Academies, and the location of the English Beach Sprints (as part of the 4 Nations Coastal Sculling Series) earlier this year. Nonetheless, we know that the competitors, support crew and volunteers will be bringing their energy and enthusiasm to the beach and have some great racing.”
The British Rowing Beach Sprint Championships is happening with the valued support from Swift Racing UK.
Lea Mans III!
This weekend sees the third running of a new style of event for recreational rowers on the River Lea.
This gives crews from all around the Eastern and Thames regions the chance to demonstrate their boatmanship skills as well as just how fast they can go in a straight line! All in stable mixed coxed quads supplied by the host club. Started three years ago to be an event in the Thames Valley Explorer League (TVEL), the event now has three phases which add up to a lot of fun.
Crews have to run from the start line to their boats (hence the Lea Mans play on words) before getting into their boat and pushing off. First challenge is to collect a hanging quoit from under a bridge before turning upstream for a, new this year, slalom section. Two more challenges of a pirouette and a halt and go with a crew swap complete phase 1, this is followed by a straightforward, downstream time trial section then to finish the day a series of side by side finals.
With crews from nine different clubs there will be both local rivalries (Eton Excelsior RC & Weyfarers RC) and distant clubs meeting for the first time (Spitfire BC & Hornets RC), all hopefully celebrating their performances in the lovely Lea RC bar afterwards.
Credit: Lea RC
All information about Lea Autumn Regatta can be found here.
2025, the summer Tim Clarke conquered indoor rowing
On the stroke of turning 65, the former rugby player shattered a trio of indoor rowing world records. Next up, the British Rowing Indoor Championships. Read more about his journey to breaking these World Records.
Social Spotlight: Nothing beats a Jet2 Holiday
Right now, you can save £50 per person. That’s £250 off for a PR3 Mixed Coxed Four!
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That’s all from The Start Line this week!
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