St Andrews leads the way as new hub for Olympic Beach Sprint Rowing
- sp31748
- 4 hours ago
- 2 min read
With Los Angeles 2028 firmly in sight, the University of St Andrews has been crowned the new hub for GB Olympic Beach Sprint Rowing. Recognised by
British Rowing as both a GB Performance Development Academy and a GB Training Venue, St Andrews is set to play a central role in Britain’s coastal rowing future.
Fast-paced and multi-disciplinary, this new competition is a unique combination of running, rowing and a beach sprint to finish. Competitions are knockout-style, demanding remarkable versatility, speed and strength - traits St Andrews is perfectly equipped to foster.
The University’s reputation as a rowing powerhouse is attracting national attention. Leading figures from British Rowing, Scottish Rowing and sportscotland have been spotted visiting the breathtaking beaches of St Andrews and witnessing the University’s facilities and coaching expertise firsthand.
Lee Boucher - CEO of Scottish Rowing - highlighted the significance of the announcement: “This recognition marks an important step in ensuring Scotland is at the forefront of coastal sculling’s Olympic journey. By working closely with the University of St Andrews, British Rowing and sportscotland we are creating new opportunities for athletes across the country to experience, enjoy, and excel in the Beach Sprints disciplines as we build towards Los Angeles 2028 and beyond.”
The news follows a historic summer for the St Andrews rowing.
Undergraduate rower Sophia Issberner became the first ever St Andrews athlete to represent GB rowing at the World University Games in Rhine-Ruhr valley, Germany. Competing against 10,000 student athletes from more than 150 countries, she rowed to gold in the women’s eight - a landmark victory on the global stage.
Already, the University has invested in its Beach Sprints Performance Centre at East Sands and strengthened its partnerships with Scottish Rowing and sportscotland. The St Andrews Boat Club continues to deliver impressive results, further cementing the University’s status as a centre for rowing excellence.
It seems as though this is only the beginning for St Andrews’ influence in the world of rowing. Lewis McCue – Director of Rowing at St Andrews – called St Andrews “the perfect setting to train and inspire the next generation of athletes.” Is this the beginning of us seeing more St Andrews athletes take on the world stage?
With the Olympic spotlight on coastal rowing and beach sprints debuting in Los Angeles 2028, St Andrews is poised to shape the future of Britain’s rowing on both national and international stages.
Want to be a part of the next generation of GB rowers? Discover how St Andrews can help you chase your Olympic dreams below.
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By Sylvie Plaskow
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