Jamestown Coastal Clash | WilliamsburgBoatClub

Jamestown Coastal Clash

August 1-2, 2026
*Boat Handler Clinic Friday, July 31, 3-5pm

Hosted by Williamsburg Boat Club

Jamestown Beach ~ Williamsburg, VA

Trade Flatwater for Waves!

Jamestown Coastal Clash is a beach sprint regatta set on the shores of historic Jamestown. Experience one of rowing’s fastest-growing disciplines - featured in the LA 2028 Olympics - combining speed on the water with a sprint to the finish on the sand. Enjoy the history of our area and one of the unique aspects of the future of rowing on the international level.

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Trade flatwater for waves and join us in Williamsburg, VA for a weekend of beach sprint racing, waterfront fun, and great local gatherings!

FRIDAY, JULY 31

3:00–5:00 PM
Boat Handler Clinic at Jamestown Beach
Racers are welcome to provide their own boat handlers, but ALL boat handlers must attend this clinic. WBC will provide boat handlers for racers who do not bring their own.

6:00–8:00 PM
Race Packet Pick Up + Pre-Race Get Together at Precarious Beer Project
110 S. Henry St, Colonial Williamsburg
Family friendly!
(Race packets will also be available Saturday morning before racing begins.)

SATURDAY, AUGUST 1

8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Time Trials and Repechages

LATE AFTERNOON
Post-Race Gathering at Billsburg Brewery
2054 Jamestown Rd (directly across from the beach)
Food truck and beer specials
Family and pet friendly!

SUNDAY, AUGUST 2

8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Quarterfinals, Semifinals, and Finals

What is Beach Sprint Rowing

Beach sprint rowing is one of the fastest-growing disciplines in the sport—and it’s headed to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

It combines running, rowing, and surfing into one fast-paced race that lasts just a few minutes.

Each race includes:

A sprint from the beach to the boat
A 250-meter slalom rowing course around buoys
A turn and sprint back to shore
A final run to the finish line

It’s head-to-head, elimination-style racing—win and advance, lose and you’re out.

Race Overview

The Jamestown Coastal Clash will include Time Trials, and Duel Racing

Time Trials

All crews race individually against the clock. Depending on the number of entries, a predetermined number will advance directly to the Quarterfinals will the others go into the Repechages.

Duel Racing

Head-to-head racing:

Repechages
Quarterfinals
Semifinals
Finals (A and B Finals)

Races are short (about 2–3 minutes), intense, and spectator-friendly.

Time Trial Format

The race begins with one crew member running 50 meters from the Start Line to the boat positioned in Lane 2, where they will enter and begin rowing.

The crew will row 250 meters out to the end of Lane 2, navigating the slalom by passing outside the first buoy and inside the second buoy. At the end buoy in Lane 2, they will make a 90-degree turn around the buoy, then row 25 meters across to the Lane 1 end buoy.

Upon reaching the Lane 1 end buoy, the crew will make another 90-degree turn, this time heading back toward the beach while remaining outside the buoy line. They will row 250 meters straight back to shore in Lane 1, keeping outside all course buoys.

Once the boat reaches the beach, a crew member will exit, run around the outside of the Lane Flag, and sprint up the beach to cross the Finish Line.

The area within the Lane Flags, Slalom Buoys, and End Buoys is reserved for crews that are being overtaken, experiencing equipment issues, or retiring from the race.
Athletes will be assigned a start order and a Bib Number to be worn on the back of their unifrom.
For Singles - 4 boats will be in circulation, the athletes “on deck” will be able to adjust footstretchers while their boat is in the queue
For Doubles events - 4 boats will be in circulation with athletes able to adjust footstretchers prior to start

Boats

You DO NOT need your own boat!

Boats will be provided by NEXT Boatworks.

Coastal Single (Cx1)
Coastal Double (Cx2)

Oars

You DO need your own oars.

You can use the same oars as you do for flatwater rowing. Some suggested adjustments:

The Next Boatworks boats will be rigged with a 158cm inboard.
Recommended measurements for oars:
- Length 286-288cm
- Inboard 86-88cm

Boat Handlers

Williamsburg Boat Club will provide boat handlers.

Racers are allowed to provide their own boat handlers but all boat handlers MUST attend the Boat Handling Training on Friday from 3-5pm at Jamestown Beach.

Repechages, Quarterfinals, Semi-Finals, and Finals

Our race course follows the official Beach Sprints format used at the World Rowing Championships. It features two lanes, each extending 250 meters into the ocean and marked by three buoys.

Competitors will begin with a 50-meter sprint on the sand from a designated starting point to their boats at the water’s edge. From there, they will row a slalom course around the buoys (Buoys on Port, Starboard, Port), return to shore, jump out of their boats, and finish with a final dash back to the starting line.

Watch this World Rowing video - "How to Beach Sprint"

Lodging in Williamsburg

Check back soon for more information about lodging options in the area.

Jamestown Coastal Clash

August 1-2, 2026
*Boat Handler Clinic Friday, July 31, 3-5pm

Jamestown Beach ~ Williamsburg, VA

Trade Flatwater for Waves!