Whakatāne Rowing Club is proud to host the inaugural Ōhope Beach Sprints Coastal Rowing event today.

The event, which is round 3 of the NZ Beach Sprints Summer Series, is being held at Ohope for the first time, marking an important milestone for rowing in the Eastern Bay.

Supported by the Whakatāne Life Saving Club, it will take place on the beach just east of the clubrooms.

The rowing club is delighted to see this world-class discipline showcased locally.

“Ōhope Beach is an exceptional venue for coastal rowing,” said club president, Shane Iremonger.

“We’re thrilled to support an event that not only celebrates our unique coastline but also brings the energy and spectacle of beach sprint racing to our community.”

“Coastal rowing is vibrant, tactical, and incredibly spectator friendly,” Iremonger said.

“We’re excited to welcome competitors, supporters, and visitors to Ōhope Beach for an event that reflects both the spirit of our region and the future of our sport.

“We’re also pleased that it could open opportunities for the youth and athletes of our region.”

David Vallence, director of Beach Sprints NZ, said Beach Sprints NZ and Rowing New Zealand were looking forward to bringing this fast-growing coastal rowing discipline to Ōhope, a location already familiar to many top New Zealand athletes.

“Over the past 12 months, the Rowing NZ Elite Coastal Team and a youth development squad have completed multiple training camps at Ōhope Beach as part of their preparation for the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint World Championships in Turkey,” he said.

Beach sprints is one of the most exciting evolutions in modern rowing.

Its high intensity short-course format has gained rapid popularity across school squads, club rowers, elite athletes, and masters’ rowers.

The discipline continues to grow globally and is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Rowing NZ has designated the Ōhope Beach event as an official selection event for athletes seeking nomination for 2026 Elite Coastal Team trials, ahead of this year’s World Championships in China.

This has already attracted a strong field of elite and emerging talent, including:

n Emma Twigg – multiple Olympic medallist and the 2025 World Women’s Solo Beach Sprint Champion

n Matt Dunham – former World Beach Sprint Champion and member of the 2026 Rowing NZ Coastal Squad

n Members of the Rowing NZ Summer Squad

n Outstanding U18 rowers returning from medal-winning performances at the 2025 Australian National Championships

Racing will take place across three boat classes, singles, double and quads (with coxswain) and in four categories: Open, Club, U18, and Masters.

Spectators are encouraged to come along and witness a thrilling future Olympic sport in action, right on their doorstep.  

Racing starts today from about 8am and continues through the day.

Whakatāne Rowing Club believes the event will deliver significant benefits to the local community – sporting, social, and economic – and is grateful to its local supporters and sponsors, particularly Whakatāne Surf Lifesaving Club and John Twaddle, EastBay Dental.