ROWING AUSTRALIA CONFIRMS ATHLETE INVITATIONS FOR 2026 BEACH SPRINT SELECTION TRIALS

Rowing Australia has confirmed the list of athletes invited to attend the first round of the 2026 Beach Sprint Selection Trials, to be held at Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra, from 8–10 May.

The trials form a key component to select a team for the Filippi Lido Trophy in June, and a squad set to represent Australia at the 2026 Rowing World Beach Sprint Finals later this year, with athletes competing for their place in one of rowing's fastest-growing disciplines.

Athletes have been invited based on their performances throughout the domestic rowing season, with representatives drawn from clubs and state institutes across New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia, South Australia and the ACT.

Among the headline invitees is Lucy Stephan, one of Australia’s most decorated rowers and a gold medallist in the Women’s Four at Tokyo 2020. Jack Cleary, a bronze medallist in the Men’s Quad at Tokyo, brings Olympic pedigree to the men’s draw, alongside Marcus Della Marta, recently selected to race in the men’s quad for the 2026 season.

Oscar Scheel Gamborg, Sam Forbes and Sophia Wightman return as bronze medallists from the 2025 World Beach Sprint Finals in the mixed quad, while Liz Newell and Catherine Khan are also back having represented Australia at the 2025 World Beach Sprint Final. Daniel Johnston is a familiar face from previous Australian Beach Sprint teams, and Alex Rossi and Nicholas Smith transition into Beach Sprints following their appearances in the 2025 World Rowing Championships.

State institutes including NSWIS, QAS, WAIS, ACTAS and SASI are well represented across the invitation list, reflecting strong program support from around the country.

The Beach Sprints format, known for its high-energy, head-to-head racing combining a beach run, a 250-metre slalom, a sharp turn and a 250-metre return row, continues to grow in popularity and international prestige. The discipline is set to make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, making these domestic trials even more significant as Australia builds its pipeline of world-class talent.

Rowing Australia Beach Sprints Head Coach James Loveday said the calibre of invitees reflects the exciting direction of the program that merges Australia’s strengths in traditional rowing with the coastal discipline.

“We've seen significant growth in the quality and depth of Beach Sprint athletes across the country, and this invitation list reflects that. Canberra will be a fantastic first test for these athletes as we begin the selection process for the World Finals.”

“With LA 2028 on the horizon, every trial matters. We're looking for athletes who can thrive in the unique demands that Beach Sprints presents. The calibre of athlete is high, and the standard of racing will match it.”

The 2026 Beach Sprint Trials #1 gets underway on 8 May at Lake Burley Griffin, Canberra.

WOMEN'S SCULLING
Samantha Blanchard - (QLD) - Fremantle Rowing Club
Catherine Khan (ACT) ACTAS - Australian National University Boat Club
Elizabeth Newell (QLD) QAS - University of Queensland Boat Club
Isabella Scammel (NSW) NSWIS - Sydney Rowing Club
Lucy Stephan (VIC) VIS - Melbourne University Rowing Club
Zara Turner (ACT) ACTAS - Australian National University Boat Club
Sophia Wightman (NSW) NSWIS - Sydney University Boat Club

MEN'S SCULLING
Hamish Allan (SA) SASI - Adelaide University Boat Club
Jack Cleary (WA) RBNTC - West Australian Rowing Club
Hamish Danks (NSW) NSWIS - Sydney University Boat Club
Liam M Davis (WA) Fremantle Rowing Club
Marcus Della Marta (NSW) RBNTC - Sydney University Boat Club
Samuel Forbes (QLD) QAS - University of Queensland Boat Club
Daniel Johnston (NSW) Mosman Rowing Club
Alexander Rossi (WA) RBNTC - West Australian Rowing Club
Oscar Scheel Gamborg (NSW) NSWIS - Mosman Rowing Club
Nicholas Smith (VIC) RBNTC - Melbourne University Boat Club

Beach Sprint Trials #1 Invitation List