New Zealand’s team for the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Qindao, China, is likely to include athletes that have raised up to NZ$8,000 (about €4,000) to help cover the costs of competition. Rowers must still meet criteria to be eligible to compete for New Zealand, and will be required to attend a development camp and selection trials in July.
The country is looking to find development rowers in the senior mixed quad and in the under-19 boat categories, excluding the inclusion mixed double. Although the federation expects that may not be possible, and that not all boat classes will be part of its 2026 team.
In general, New Zealand typically takes only a small team to world championships, focused around the Olympic events (the senior men’s and women’s solos, and the mixed double). Although in 2024, the country competed in every boat class except the inclusion mixed double. For 2026, the Olympic events are considered separate to this development team, and so will not be asked to meet the funding requirement.
Nominations to form part of the development team must be submitted by 21 June, and more information can be found on the Rowing New Zealand website.