Punta Leona, Garabito | 13–17 May 2026
The 4th edition of the Americas Beach Sprint Rowing Championship under the umbrella of COPARE was successfully held from 13 to 17 May 2026 in the stunning coastal setting of Punta Leona, Garabito, Costa Rica. Organised by the Costa Rican Rowing Federation, with strong support from the Costa Rican Olympic Committee, the event brought together athletes from across the Americas for a dynamic and highly competitive championship.
Strong Foundations and Coordination
Led by the event technical delegate, Augusto Farfan, preparations for the championship began well in advance, with a first virtual coordination meeting held on 23 April 2026 between the Organising Committee and representatives of the Costa Rica Rowing Federation. Upon arrival on site, a comprehensive venue inspection was conducted, with particular focus on safety and operational readiness.
A detailed and practical risk assessment confirmed that Playa Mantas provided a safe and suitable environment for Beach Sprint competitions in full compliance with World Rowing rules. Continuous monitoring throughout the event further ensured optimal conditions for both athletes and officials.
Growing Participation Across the Americas
The championship saw a total of 13 participating nations—Argentina, Barbados, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Syria, and the United States—fielding 61 crews across senior and junior categories.
This represents a 60% increase in participation compared to the inaugural edition in 2023, highlighting the rapid growth and appeal of coastal rowing in the region.
Competition categories included:
- Men’s Solo (CM1x)
- Women’s Solo (CW1x)
- Mixed Doubles (CMix2x)
- Junior Men’s Solo (CJM1x)
- Junior Women’s Solo (CJW1x)
- Junior Mixed Doubles (CJMix2x)
A Spectacular Venue for Coastal Competition
Located just one hour from San José, Punta Leona offered an exceptional natural setting, combining tropical forest, white-sand beaches, and the Pacific Ocean. With temperatures ranging between 18°C and 28°C, athletes competed in pleasant and stable conditions.
The competition venue at Playa Mantas featured soft sand, a gentle slope, and moderate wave conditions—ideal for Beach Sprint racing. The proximity of the official hotel to the competition site added further efficiency to the event logistics.
Three Days of High-Level Racing
Competition took place over three days, following the World Rowing Rules:
- 15 May: Time trials across all categories
- 16 May: Knockout rounds and finals for selected junior events
- 17 May: Quarterfinals, semifinals, and finals for senior and remaining categories
The event ran entirely on schedule, supported by well-managed course operations and consistent lane adjustments to maintain fairness and quality racing conditions.
The level of competition was notably high, featuring both emerging talents and experienced athletes—including a three-time World Rowing Beach Sprint champion. The diversity of performance levels contributed to exciting and closely contested races, energising both participants and spectators.
Safety as a Priority
Safety remained a core focus throughout the championship. Athlete swimming competency was verified in advance, and on-water safety was ensured through dedicated safety boats and continuous risk monitoring.
Medical services were fully operational, including an ambulance, doctor, and paramedic team on site.
Operational Delivery and Equipment
The event was supported by essential equipment and operational infrastructure, including competition boats, buoys, timing systems, communication tools, safety assets, and athlete services.
The competition was overseen by an experienced officiating team led by Umpiring Commission Member Marisol Alvarado, Technical Delegate Augusto Farfan with valuable support from WR Experts Osvaldo Borchi, Ruben Scarpati and Marc Oria.
Promoting Sustainability and Clean Water Initiatives
The championship also served as a platform to promote sustainability and environmental responsibility. Athletes, officials, and participants were encouraged to actively maintain the cleanliness of the competition area, reinforcing the importance of protecting coastal environments.
This approach demonstrated the potential for coastal Rowing events to contribute meaningfully to environmental awareness.
Looking Ahead
The 2026 Americas Beach Sprint Rowing Championship in Costa Rica showcased the continued growth and development of coastal Rowing in the region. With strong participation, high competition standards, and a successful event delivery, the championship reinforces the importance of investing in infrastructure, officiating capacity, and sustainability practices.
As the discipline continues to expand, events such as this play a key role in preparing athletes, officials, and organisers for the future of coastal Rowing on the international stage.
World Rowing extends its sincere thanks to the Costa Rica Rowing Federation, Costa Rica Olympic Committee, to all the volunteers and the committed support team on site for their strong institutional support and excellent cooperation in hosting the event in coordination with COPARE.