Japan’s first Coastal Rowing Games in Imabari

Japan’s first Coastal Rowing event, “Beach Rowing Sprint Games 2019 Imabari”, was held in Kamoike beach park in Imabari city of Ehime prefecture on 29^th and 30^th in June. This beach was a location of a rowing film in 1998. 38 athletes from all over the country participated in men’s and women’s events. They rowed in Time Trial On the first day. Quarterfinals, semi-finals and finals were run on the second day. The categories were CM1× and CW1× with two athletes in each race going one on one. They started on the beach and rowed about 250m each way, they ran on the beach to cross the finish line.  For most of athletes this was their first time rowing in the beach sprints. All athletes and spectators were excited with a great deal of interest in spite of the weather conditions of a fog and heavy wind.

This event was held by Imabari Rowing Club with an aim to popularize “Coastal Rowing” in Japan. One of the event organizers, Masahiro Nojiri, who participated in Asia Championship in Hong Kong in November last year, says “I wish Coastal Rowing will be diffused all over the country with this event as a start.” (by Tomohiro YAKU)

You can re-watch the CW 1x A-final here and the CM 1x here