Michelle Boss can’t wait to watch the world’s best coastal rowers compete in her home waters in Victoria, British Columbia. The competition stirs fond memories for Boss, who competed at two world coastal championships – Istanbul in 2010 and Bari, Italy in 2011. “Each experience was different but I loved it both times. There is an interesting mix of rowing skill and nautical experience that apply. Some of the racers had one or the other, but the top coastal rowers have both.”
‘Extreme rowing’: Nikos Gkountoulas of Greece talks about his love of rowing coastal
Nikos and his twin brother Apostolos had great success as international rowers from 2004 to 2012, with gold, silver and bronze medals at the European and World Championships.
When he was looking for a new challenge after retiring from racing, Nikos heard about coastal rowing.
The Gkountoulas twins competed at the World Rowing Coastal Championships in 2014 in Greece, where they finished third. They followed this up with a seventh place finish at the 2016 WRCC.
Now Nikos spends his time operating Greece’s first exclusively coastal rowing club called the Coastal Rowing Club of Thessaloniki. Since 2014, he has promoted coastal rowing for fitness and recreation, as well as competition.
He’s passionate about sharing the sport with as many people as possible.
Coastal championships help make important cultural connections
While the 2018 World Rowing Coastal Championships revolve around the sport of rowing, they have also provided an opportunity for organizers to make some important cultural connections.
The competition is taking place on the traditional territory of the W̱SÁNEĆ (Saanich) First Nations. Children from the community will be drumming in the opening ceremony and opening address for the 2018 WRCC in October.
Denise Sam works at ȽÁU, WELṈEW̱ Tribal School. The school has almost 300 students from four W̱SÁNEĆ communities, in elementary, middle and secondary school.
We asked Denise what it means to be part of the 2018 World Rowing Coastal Championships:
- How did you get involved with the 2018 World Rowing Coastal Championships?
I became involved when Marla (Marla Weston from the 2108 WRCC organizing committee) came into the school office.
She was looking for a space for a banquet and she was so warm and kind we began a conversation about her plans with the upcoming rowing event.
‘An amazing adventure’: U.S. rower Ben Booth shares his love of coastal rowing
‘An amazing adventure’: U.S. rower Ben Booth shares his love of coastal rowing
As we count down to the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October in Canada, we are reaching out to coastal competitors from around the world to explain to us what makes coastal rowing so special.
U.S. rower Ben Booth is writing a series of blog posts helping rowers prepare for 2018 WRCC.
Czech coastal competitors coming to Canada
The Czech Republic had a breakthrough year in 2016 when the men’s quad won gold at the World Rowing Coastal Championship, something that continues to inspire coastal rowers in that country.
“It was big success for a country without sea,” says Vítězslav Huja.
Comeback kid: 2014 world coastal champion coming to Canada for 2018 WRCC after 3 heart surgeries
Swedish coastal rower Peter Berg is heading to Canada aiming for a medal, hoping to complete a comeback after his third heart operation.
Help wanted: how you can get involved in the 2018 World Rowing Coastal Championships
By Anne Linton, Volunteer Coordinator, 2018 WRCC
Several months ago, I was asked by the organizing committee members for 2018 WRCC to help out as the volunteer coordinator for the event.
It amazes me to think that this world class event, which has never been to North America, has been taken on by a group of very enthusiastic, well-organized, very hard working volunteers (mostly flatwater rowers) who have put themselves on the line to introduce coastal rowing to on Canada’s West Coast. Victoria is a perfect venue for open water rowing and touring. We hope this event will sow the seeds for a lasting legacy.
Saying “welcome” to the world!
We are excited to welcome the world to Canada for the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October!
Click on one of the videos we have prepared to say “welcome”!
https://youtu.be/GGhsbYk2lDY (Spanish)
https://youtu.be/yadDALZCruo (French)
https://youtu.be/IRXAMaBNvjM (English)
https://youtu.be/ZS0ZcFidRwc (Italian)
https://youtu.be/qz470shrQQg (German)
https://youtu.be/xlj-UZz5KeM (Dutch)
Coastal rowing is growing in Canada!
Members of the Salish Sea Coastal Rowing Club, based in Vancouver, British Columbia, are thrilled that nearby Victoria will host the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October. Salish Sea is already putting together plans to train crews for the event and hopes it will attract even more rowers to “go coastal”.
The Irish are coming – Part Two!
As we count down to the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October in Canada, we are reaching out to coastal competitors from around the world to explain to us what makes coastal rowing so special.
Photos and information from Margaurite Deasy
Vice chair of Rowing Ireland Offshore Rowing
The Irish are coming – Part One!
As we count down to the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October in Canada, we are reaching out to coastal competitors from around the world to explain to us what makes coastal rowing so special.
Photos and information from Margaurite Deasy
Coastal Cool: how an Australian rower has helped build coastal rowing around the world
As we count down to the World Rowing Coastal Championships in October in Canada, we are reaching out to coastal competitors from around the world to explain to us what makes coastal rowing so special.
