How to Follow the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals

The world’s best beach sprint rowers are set to take on the sand and surf of Qingdao, China, as the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals take place from 18-21 October at Golden Beach.

With more than 300 athletes representing 52 nations, the event will bring together the largest names in coastal rowing for four days of spectacular racing. Combining explosive speed on the beach, technical boat handling on the water and dramatic head-to-head knockout racing, the Beach Sprint Finals promise excitement from the first race to the last.

What is beach sprint rowing?

Beach sprint rowing is the fast-paced, elimination-format discipline of coastal rowing and will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.

Athletes begin each race with a sprint across the sand before launching their boats into the surf. They then race out to sea, complete a series of buoy turns, and return to the beach, where they jump from their boats and sprint across the finish line.

The discipline combines rowing power, running speed, technical skill and tactical awareness, creating some of the most dramatic races in the sport.

Why Qingdao?

Golden Beach in Qingdao provides a spectacular setting for the championships. Situated on the coast of the Yellow Sea, the venue offers a unique mix of open-water conditions, challenging surf and a stunning beachfront atmosphere.

Following the World Rowing Coastal Championships earlier in the month, the world’s top beach sprint athletes will return to the same venue to contest world titles in one of rowing’s fastest-growing disciplines.

How to follow

Fans can follow all the action from Qingdao through World Rowing’s digital platforms.

Live blog

The official World Rowing live blog will provide updates, results, key moments and stories from throughout the championships on WorldRowing.com.

Live results and racing programme

The full racing programme, start lists and results will be available on WorldRowing.com throughout the event, allowing fans to follow every race from the opening rounds through to the medal finals.

Live audio

Live audio commentary will be available on all four days of racing, bringing fans closer to the action from Golden Beach.

Live video

Live video coverage will be available on 20 and 21 October, covering the decisive stages of the championships and the races for world titles.

Social media

Follow the action across World Rowing Coastal social channels for highlights, behind-the-scenes content, athlete reactions and the best images from Qingdao:

• Instagram: @worldrowing.coastal
• Facebook: World Rowing Coastal

Four days to crown the world’s best

Over four days of racing, more than 300 athletes from 52 nations will battle for world titles on the shores of the Yellow Sea. From dramatic finishes on the sand to tactical duels around the buoys, the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals promise to showcase the excitement and intensity that have made beach sprint rowing one of the sport’s most rapidly growing disciplines.

Be sure to follow all the action from Qingdao on WorldRowing.com, with the live blog, live audio coverage every day, and live video coverage on 20 and 21 October.