Australia’s National Capital Authority has approved the proposal to build a permanent beach sprint arena on Lake Burley Griffin in the country’s capital city, Canberra. The proposal was submitted by the Red Shed community rowing facility, and the arena is planned to be built between that location and the nearby Black Mountain Rowing Club. It will feature a small beach lined by terraced walls that can serve as seating for several hundred spectators, and on event days may include temporary stands that expand capacity up to 1,000.
Lake Burley Griffin is also home to the Golden Oar Festival, which was launched last year to compete with major international regattas such as the Henley Royal Regatta in the U.K. and the Head of the Charles in the USA. The inaugural race included a range of distances, but not beach sprint. However, once this new arena is in place, perhaps rowing’s newest discipline will find a way into the schedule. Additionally, the investment in beach sprint may raise hopes that it continues to be part of the Olympic program for Brisbane 2032.