The 2026 Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) National Beach Sprint Tour brought athletes together from across Canada and beyond for a summer of fast racing, new experiences, and a growing Coastal Rowing community. With Beach Sprints set to make its Olympic debut at Los Angeles 2028, the Tour provided valuable opportunities to race, develop, and experience coastal racing.

The Tour got underway on June 20^th at Lakeside Park Beach in St. Catharines, with the RowOntario Beach Sprints Cup #1.

The regatta welcomed 67 entries, with rowers from fifteen Ontario clubs, two Québec clubs, and three competitors from the United States. At the time, it was the largest Beach Sprint regatta in Canadian history – a mark that would be surpassed later in the summer.

Frank Christie, Manager of Communications and Events at Row Ontario, described a day of challenging conditions and close racing:

“The day started with the solo events in the morning, which had the rowers’ navigating waves and a strong cross wind. The waters calmed in the afternoon as the doubles took on the course, which led to several close finishes as the competitors sprinted across the beach to hit the finish buzzer.”

The event was supported by umpires and volunteers throughout the day, while an enthusiastic crowd lined the course, creating an especially electric atmosphere.

The Western Canada Beach Sprint Championships, held June 27^th and 28^th, brought together athletes across generations and experience levels. That range was a highlight for OARCA Coastal Rowing President, Brenda Taylor.

“The Western Canadian Beach Sprints was a great event, bringing together junior, open, and masters rowers” shared Taylor. “We had everyone from novices who had only rowed eight times, to Olympians, all racing at the same event. It was also fantastic to have the RCA U23 athletes racing again this year and to see them having so much fun.”

On August 15^th and 16^th in Quebec, Aviron Lachine celebrated the fifth annual Beach Sprint Cap St-Jacques with over 60 rowers.

“The energy in the air of the 5th annual Beach Sprint Cap St-Jacques was palpable,” said Richard Cabana, President of Aviron Lachine. “Over five dozen rowers were having the time of their life while giving their best performances at this increasingly popular event,”

The fourth annual Cascadia Beach Sprints Championships at Locarno Beach in Vancouver brought the Tour to a close on August 29^th-30^th.

With 84 entries, the event saw a significant increase from the previous entries in the 2025 edition of the event. Surpassing the 67 entries recorded earlier in the summer at the RowOn Beach Sprint Cup #1, the Cascadia Beach Sprint Championship has joined the ranks as one of the largest Coastal Rowing events to be held in Canada.

Bill Myra, President of the Cascadia Regatta Association, reflected on the event’s continued growth and the strength of the racing:

“The momentum behind the Cascadia Beach Sprints Championships is undeniable. The racing demonstrated both the depth and growth of coastal rowing in our region, with athletes from eight different clubs represented on the singles podiums. The weekend’s challenging conditions tested athletes across the field and showcased the adaptability and resilience that make coastal rowing and beach sprints such exciting disciplines.”

The 2026 RCA National Beach Sprint Tour offered a glimpse of the energy and excitement the discipline brings to rowing. With participation growing and new athletes discovering the sport, there’s never been a better time to give Coastal Rowing a try.

Interested in getting involved? Learn more HERE about Coastal Rowing and Beach Sprints, including upcoming opportunities to race, train, and get involved with clubs across Canada.

 

* The Nova Scotia Invitational Beach Sprints was originally scheduled as part of the 2026 RCA National Beach Sprint Tour but did not take

 

International Beach Sprint Competitions in 2026:

World Rowing Coastal Championships | October 11-13 | Qingdao, CHN
World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals | October 18-21 | Qingdao, CHN