Orewa Beach will host fast paced beach sprint rowing from 8.30am this Saturday, November 22.

The Beach Sprints NZ Summer Series 1 brings coastal rowing back to the Hibiscus Coast, with short, high intensity races that are designed to be watched from the sand.

In beach sprint rowing two crews go head to head in knockout races that last only a few minutes, with the winner progressing and the other crew out.

Each race starts with a run off the beach, a fast launch into the boat, a 250 metre sprint out to sea, tight turns around a series of buoys, then a flat out charge back to shore.

Rowers jump out, race up the sand and hit the finish buzzer, often ending with a full length dive across the line.

It is a very different challenge from flat water rowing, with waves, currents, one on one racing and explosive transitions all shaping the result.

Beach sprint rowing has grown quickly in recent years and is set to make its Olympic debut in Los Angeles 2028, so Coasties can expect a thrilling, unpredictable day of racing right on their doorstep.

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