Coastal rowing is to rowing what mountain biking is to road cycling: An adventurous reimagining of the same sport, able to deal with bumps and jumps.

Developed in France at the end of the 1980s, coastal rowing has seen significant growth within the last decade (the newer beach sprints variation will debut at the LA28 Olympic Games). If you already know how to row a flat water shell, much of the basic technique will be familiar. But the boats are shorter, wider and a little heavier, and able to make sharp turns or to row through, and even surf, large waves.

Long distance coastal races are typically three to six kilometers in length around a winding course of buoys, and can include either a beach start, where rowers run down and jump into their boats, or a beach finish, where rowers must run to the finish line. These races also can include dozens of boats at the same time, which, combined with the complexity of handling wind and waves, makes navigating the quickest course a challenge.

Even if your goal isn’t competition, coastal rowing offers a chance to explore far from the flat water of lakes and rivers. Because boats are able to deal with more difficult water conditions, it also can allow you to go out and row on days when the other option would be jumping on the ergometer.

Whether you’re an experienced coastal rower or brand new to this discipline, our camps can be tailored to suit your specific goals. Our coastal rowing courses include navigating buoyed courses (including learning how to make 180-degree turns), reading the water and even surfing waves. Contact us to find out more.