Qingdao WCNA hosts national beach sprint rowing event

An athlete competes in the national coastal rowing beach sprint event in Qingdao West Coast New Area. [Photo/WeChat account: qdxihaianfabu]

A national coastal rowing beach sprint event was recently held in Qingdao West Coast New Area, drawing about 150 athletes from professional teams and rowing clubs across China.

Organized by the Water Sports Administrative Center of the General Administration of Sport of China and the Chinese Rowing Association, the two-day event featured both professional and open categories, with competitions in men's and women's single sculls and mixed double sculls.

Beach sprint rowing combines running and rowing in a fast-paced format. Athletes sprint from the beach to their boats, race around offshore buoys and return to shore before making a final dash to the finish line. The discipline will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The competition also provided an opportunity to test the venue, event operations and safety arrangements ahead of major international rowing events to be held in Qingdao in October. The city is set to host both the 2026 World Rowing Coastal Championships and the World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals. China's national coastal rowing team will also hold a month-long training camp in the area as part of its preparations.

Hosting the national event further showcased Qingdao West Coast New Area's coastal resources and growing capacity to stage high-level marine sports competitions. It also supported the area's efforts to combine sporting events with coastal tourism and public fitness.