Get ready for an exhilarating sporting event that will leave you on the edge of your seat! The 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals are almost here, and this year's competition promises to be bigger and better than ever. From November 6th to 9th, Antalya, Türkiye will host the world's top coastal rowers, giving us a glimpse of the Olympic debut of this thrilling discipline at LA 2028.
The Ultimate Beach Battle: Coastal Rowing's Olympic Preview
Imagine the power and grace of traditional rowing, but with an explosive twist. Beach sprint rowing starts on land, with athletes sprinting down the beach, launching into their boats, and racing around buoys before returning to dry land. It's a unique blend of sprinting, rowing, and strategy, all in one thrilling head-to-head format.
This year's finals will showcase a record-breaking ten championship boat classes, including the highly anticipated debut of the Inclusion Mixed Double Sculls (INMix2x) category. With three categories set to make their Olympic debut at LA28, including men's solo (Mx1), women's solo (Wx1), and mixed double sculls (Mix2x), the stakes are higher than ever.
Men's Solo: A Reigning Champion's Quest
In the men's solo category, all eyes will be on Chris Bak, the reigning world champion from the United States of America. Bak will face a formidable challenge as he aims to defend his title against a field of elite rowers. This includes the Olympic Champion from Australia, Spencer Turrin (Tokyo 2020), Finland's Joel Naukkarinen, New Zealand's Finlay Hamill, and Great Britain's European champion, James Cox. It's a battle of the titans, and you won't want to miss it!
Women's Solo: An Epic Showdown
The women's solo (W1x) promises an intense and captivating showdown. New Zealand's Olympic medallist, Emma Twigg, will go head-to-head with the reigning World and European Beach Sprint Champion, Magdalena Lobnig of Austria. This battle of champions will be further enhanced by the presence of Olympians Martyna Radosz of Poland and Hanna Prakatsen of Uzbekistan, along with Christine Cavallo from the USA and Great Britain's Laura Mackenzie.
A Diverse Program: Something for Everyone
The 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals offer a diverse range of events to cater to all tastes. In addition to the men's and women's solo categories, you'll also witness the mixed quadruple sculls (Mix4x), under-19 men's and women's solo (JM1x, JW1x), under-19 men's and women's double sculls (JM2x, JW2x), and under-19 mixed double sculls (JMix2x). It's a celebration of rowing talent across all age groups and disciplines.
How to Catch the Action
Don't miss a moment of this thrilling event! You can watch the 2025 WR Beach Sprint Finals live on the Olympic Channel via Olympics.com, with territorial restrictions applying. Additionally, live streaming will be available on Saturday and Sunday from 9:00 local time (UTC+3) at worldrowing.com.
And here's the full schedule (all times local UTC+3) to help you plan your viewing:
Thursday, November 6th:
- 09:00 Heats: JM1x, JW1x, JM2x, JMix2x
- 13:00 Heats: M1x, W1x, Mix4x, Mix2x
- 15:45 Repechage: JM2x, JW2x
Friday, November 7th:
- 08:30 Heats: JM1x, JW1x, M1x, W1x, JMix2x, Mix2x
- 11:50 Heat: INMix2x
- 13:30 Last 16: JM1x, JW1x, JMix2x
- 15:25 Last 8: JM2x, JW2x
Saturday, November 8th:
- 08:45 Repechage: INMix2x, Mix4x
- 09:40 Last 16: M1x, W1x, Mix2x
- 13:05 Last 8: JM1x, JW1x, JMix2x
- 16:00 Victory Ceremony: JM2x, JW2x, JM1x, JW1x, JMix2x
Sunday, November 9th:
- 09:05 Last 8: Mix4x, M1x, W1x, Mix2x, INMix2x
- 15:00 Victory Ceremony & Closing Ceremony
So, are you ready to witness the power and passion of coastal rowing? Join us for an unforgettable sporting experience at the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals! And remember, this is just a preview of the Olympic excitement to come at LA 2028.
Comment below: What's your prediction for the men's and women's solo categories? Who do you think will emerge as the champions?
