Giovanni Ficarra – combining flat water and coastal rowing

Giovanni Ficarra represented Italy at this year’s World Rowing Championships in the lightweight pair, and struck gold. He is also World Rowing U23 Champion in the same boat class back in 2015. But that’s not all he does, he’s also an accomplished coastal rower with his eyes on future opportunities.

Ficarra competed in both formats of coastal rowing in Oeiras, Portugal last year – beach sprints and endurance, and will race at the 2022 World Rowing Coastal Championships and Beach Sprint Finals in Saundersfoot, Pembrokeshire this week as well.

“It is very entertaining to do both disciplines but they are two completely different sports. I am happy to be able to manage both – to be here now and to be in Saundersfoot and then to be in San Sebastian [for the European Rowing Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships] even.”

At the Beach Sprint Finals, he will be looking to defend his title as World Champion after his epic victory over Norwegian Kjetil Borch last year. Asked on how he had managed selection for the beach sprint team alongside his preparations for the World Rowing Championships, Giovanni said;

“To be here, I raced in a selection race held in August. We won, so qualified to be here. For the Beach Sprints, for the single, I won the Italian Championships 20 days ago in Barletta, so I took the pass to go to Wales. Over there, I will also race in the mixed quad because I won the selection on the Monday after the Italian Championships, with another team.”

While he potentially has slightly mixed emotions, Ficarra is excited about the potential possibilities for the beach sprint format and his involvement in that.

“I am enthusiastic about the fact that maybe in LA in 2028 beach sprint could become an Olympic sport but, on the other hand, I am sad about the situation regarding the lightweights in the Olympic movement. The Olympic movement is changing a lot, sports and disciplines. I try to be ready. In LA, if beach sprint will be an Olympic sport, I will be 30 years old so I can dream to do something special in that moment.

Ficarra evidently thrives off being busy. Asked if he will take a holiday after the upcoming championships, it sounds like it is a while until he gets to put his feet up.

“There’s no rest for me this year. Not only do I compete in the major rowing championships, but I am also a university student, and I coach at my Club in Italy. It is a very busy year. Maybe for Christmas I will have a bit of holiday!”