The 2026 Youth Beach Sprint National Championships Began Today

USRowing kicked off the 2026 Youth Beach Sprint National Championships today at South Lido Key Beach in Sarasota, Fla. The event has doubled in size from last year, bringing together the nation's top junior rowers to compete in rowing's fastest-growing discipline. As Beach Sprints prepares to make its Olympic debut at the LA2028 Games, the championship provides an opportunity for young athletes to gain experience in the exciting coastal rowing format and showcase their talent on the national stage.

Racing began with time trials in each event category. Athletes sprinted from the beach to their boats, navigated a slalom-style rowing course, and finished with a dash back across the sand. The top eight crews in each event advanced to tomorrow's head-to-head knockout rounds, while the remaining athletes will race in E, F, and G finals.

In the men's youth single sculls, two-time Beach Sprint National Team member Ronan Maher posted the fastest time of the day, crossing the line in 2:46.97. Community Rowing, Inc.'s Simeon John, the 2026 Youth National Champion in the men's single sculls, finished close behind.

Kiran Rodgers of Elizabeth City Rowing Club led the women's youth single sculls field, narrowly edging Indianapolis Rowing Center's Mary Bain, a member of the 2025 Beach Sprint National Team.

Community Rowing's Isaac Moos and Simeon John made an impressive debut in the men's youth double sculls, recording the fastest time and finishing 4.42 seconds ahead of Next Level Rowing's Ronan Maher and Nathan McDaniel.

In the women's youth double sculls, Indianapolis Rowing Center's Colleen Carpenter and Mary Bain delivered one of the most dominant performances of the day, finishing 8.47 seconds ahead of Elizabeth City Rowing Club's Ella McFadden and Emma Mayer.

Alongside the Youth Beach Sprint National Championships, members of the Beach Sprint National Team competed in the 2026 National Team Speed Order. Reigning Beach Sprint World Champion Chris Bak topped the men's field with a time of 2:36.70, followed by 2025 National Team member Justin Stevens and mixed quadruple sculls world champions Malachi Anderson and Kory Rogers.

As the fastest qualifier, Bak earned a direct berth to the quarterfinals. The remaining athletes advanced through repechages, where experience proved decisive. Stevens, Anderson, Rogers, Maher, Maurice Scott, Thaddeus Babiec, and Cameron Kumagai all secured spots in tomorrow's quarterfinals.

In the women's competition, 10-time National Team member Christine Cavallo set the pace with a commanding performance, finishing 15.85 seconds ahead of second-place finisher Ariana Townsend. Townsend advanced through the knockout round alongside mixed quadruple sculls world champion Audrey Boersen.

Sera Busse, a national team member in both flatwater and beach sprint rowing, won her knockout round and will be joined in tomorrow's quarterfinals round by Jacqueline Carr, Maddy Focht, Brooke Downes, and Devi Lockwood.

Racing continues tomorrow with quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals, where national champions will be crowned, and the 2026 Beach Sprint National Team selection process will continue.

The event is being streamed live on Overnght. You can learn more about the sport here. 

Check out our podcast episode with four-time Beach Sprint World Champion Chris Bak and Beach Sprint National Team coach, Marc Oria.