Mar 11, 2026
Competition
USRowing Announces 2026 Beach Sprint National Championships
USRowing is preparing to roll out several exciting racing opportunities for athletes in 2026. From youth-focused beach sprint competition to national championship and trials racing later in the season, the upcoming announcements highlight the organization’s continued effort to grow participation in beach sprints and provide competitive pathways for rowers of all ages.
2026 USRowing Youth Beach Sprint NationalChampionships and Senior Beach Sprint Speed Order
The 2026 USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships is back and will take place in Sarasota, Florida, from June 15–17, 2026.
The event will follow a format similar to the 2025 championship, giving youth athletes the chance to compete in the fast-growing coastal discipline that combines running and sprinting in the surf. Click here for more information on the 2026 USRowing Youth Beach National Sprint Championships.
The schedule includes:
- June 15: Practice sessions and beach orientation
- June 16–17: Race days
The event is designed specifically for youth athletes and will provide an exciting environment for competitors to test their beach sprint skills against athletes from across the country.
There will also be two senior events held at the 2026 USRowing Youth Beach Sprint National Championships, the CM1x and the CW1x which will provide automatic qualification to the Beach Sprint selection camp later in the summer. For more information on that process, see the Beach Sprint selection procedures here.
2026 USRowing Beach Sprint National Championships and Beach Sprint Trials and Speed Order
Later in the summer, beach sprint racing will take center stage again at the 2026 USRowing Beach Sprint National Championships and Beach Sprint Trials and Speed Order, currently planned for August 6–9, 2026, in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Event details remain subject to final confirmation.
This multi-day event is being designed as a single, unified championship experience while also serving as the official U.S. Beach Sprint Trials.
The proposed schedule includes:
- August 6: Practice sessions and beach orientation
- August 7–9: Race days
The competition will feature two key components:
- Beach Sprint Trials and Speed Order events, which will determine selection opportunities for international competition- you can find specific information in the Beach Sprint selection procedures here.
- Open National Championship racing, allowing athletes of all ages and experience levels to compete
USRowing aims to create an inclusive event that welcomes Youth, Collegiate, Open, Para, and Masters athletes. While some races will be trials-only events, the broader national championship format ensures that rowers from across the community can participate.
In addition to racing, USRowing is thrilled to host our first Beach Sprint Pathways Development Camp at Tabor Academy in Massachusetts in the days leading up to the regatta. Open to all audiences, the camp is designed to introduce athletes to the Beach Sprints pathway and provide opportunities for rowers of all ages to experience the discipline. Sculling experience is required. Additional details will be shared in the coming weeks, and space will be limited—so be sure to keep it on your radar.
