The Role of the Boat Handlers

Beach Sprint racing presents many differences compared to traditional flat-water rowing, one of these is the requirement for “Boat Handlers”. These members of the support team are critical to the success of the rowers, but what exactly is it that they do? According to World Rowing’s Beach Sprint Regulations;

“The role of the boat handler is to support the departure and arrival of the crew from and to the beach by handling the boat the reduce the risk of damage or injury.”

In normal conditions, there are up to two boat handlers per boat however, when conditions dictate, the President of the Jury may allow, or even require, the number of boat handlers to be increased. The boat handlers support the crews by  holding the boat for the crew members to board and depart and sometimes they will give the boats a little push to help them on their way. Once underway, the boat handlers may assist the crew by giving verbal and visual steering assistance to the crews.

Chip Norton is supporting Team USA as a boat handler, having got into the sport by supporting his daughter, Cassidy. Norton came in with experience of being a surfer so has excellent knowledge of how to manage waves and currents. “It’s such an awesome sport, I just love it” Norton says. Asked what he believes the key to success is as a boat handler, Norton said;

“Being able to push off at the exact right time. You can’t just push them, you can’t just hold the boat, you’ve got to give them that shove and direct the boat on the first shove. Just controlling the boat for them.”

The boat handlers are critical to the safe return of the boats to the beach and they are permitted to “catch” the boat to slow its progress when it reached the beach and a crew member disembarks to run to the finish line. This isn’t always as straightforward explains;

“You have to try, as their coming back, to get them in control and know where they’re at on the course because as you can see sometimes, they are so disorientated so you have to scream at them, wear bright colours and just make sure that they make it safe back to line in a straight line and as quick as they can!”

Once the crew member has disembarked, the boat handlers are responsible for the swift removal of the boat from the water.

Yewande Adesida is a member of the British Team in Barletta and boat handling. She is coach of Evelyn Pakule who became European Champion on the beach a few weeks ago.

According to Great Britain’s Adesida, there’s so much more to the role:

“The role of a boat handler is more than just providing steering for your athlete. You are responsible for making sure the boat is set up for your rower and reassuring them as normally you’re the last people they’re in contact with before the start of the race.”

Adesida continues: “You can make a difference by being on top of how the conditions can affect their race, as well as giving them confidence to race well.”

The World Rowing’s Beach Sprint Regulations state; “The boat handlers shall, in principle, be provided by the teams and are recognised as official support crew.” From what we’ve observed, there is no doubt that they are a critical part of the support crew and a good boat handler can make all of the difference!