Six Rowsellas to hit the surf as 2024 World Beach Sprint Team unveiled

Rowsellas stars Georgie Rowe, Amanda Bateman, Ben Canham, Spencer Turrin OAM, Lily Triggs and Hannah Cowap will headline an impressive line-up for Australia as the Beach Sprint team prepares for the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals (WRBSF) in Genoa, Italy. 

The WRBSF, set for September 13-15, will showcase the one of the newest Olympic sports as Beach Sprints prepares for its debut at the Los Angeles Games in 2028. 

This year’s selections reflect a strategic approach to maximise Australia’s performance across multiple categories.  

Paul Thompson, Rowing Australia’s Performance Director, emphasised the importance of this event in the broader context of Australia’s rowing ambitions.  

“The World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals is a key milestone for our athletes,” Thompson said.  

“The selected crews demonstrate our commitment to fielding the best possible competitors and we are confident that they will do Australia proud on the world stage.” 

Rowing Australia's Beach Sprint Lead Coach Laryssa Biesenthal OLY said the team has been diligent in their preparations for the upcoming regatta.  

“The goal I have set for our coaching team has been to empower the athletes to feel confident that they have the necessary tools to deliver their best performance,” Biesenthal said.  

“I feel honoured that Paris Olympic/Paralympic Team members have taken the time to join us here in Genoa. 

“It’s been terrific to witness the Rowsellas training alongside our ‘first timers’ on the Australian team. It has been so rewarding to see them laughing and enjoying this new format of rowing.” 

Australia's Coastal Open Men's Solo, Daniel Johnston, comes from a surf boat rowing background at Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club, exemplifying the pathway for surf boat athletes, supported by the Memorandum of Understanding between Rowing Australia and Surf Life Saving Australia.

Coastal Open Crews: 

Coastal Men’s Solo (CM1x): Daniel Johnston (Palm Beach Surf Life Saving Club)

Coastal Women’s Solo (CW1X): Samantha Blanchard (Commercial Rowing Club)

Coastal Mixed Double Sculls (CMix2x): Blake Whyatt (West Australian Rowing Club), Elizabeth Newell (University of Queensland Boat Club)

Coastal Mixed Quadruple Sculls (CMix4x+): Amanda Bateman (VIS/HPNTC Melbourne University Boat Club), Georgina Rowe (NSWIS/HPNTC UTS Haberfield Rowing Club), Benjamin Canham (VIS/RBNTC Melbourne University Boat Club), Spencer Turrin OAM (NSWIS/RBNTC Sydney Rowing Club), Hannah Cowap – Coxswain (Sydney Rowing Club) 

Coastal Under 19 Crews: 

Coastal Under 19 Men’s Solo (CJM1x): Oscar Scheel Gamborg (Mosman Rowing Club)

Coastal Under 19 Women’s Solo (CJW1x): Astrid Thomas (University of Queensland Boat Club)

Coastal Under 19 Men’s Double Sculls (CJM2x): Oscar Scheel Gamborg (Mosman Rowing Club), Samuel Forbes (University of Queensland Boat Club)

Coastal Under 19 Mixed Double Sculls (CJMix2x): Astrid Thomas (University of Queensland Boat Club), Samuel Forbes (University of Queensland Boat Club)

Coastal Para-Rowing Team: 

PR3 Coastal Mixed Double Sculls (PR3 CMix2x): Macintyre Russell (University of Queensland Boat Club), Lily Triggs (HPNTC University of Queensland Boat Club) 

Stay tuned for more updates and coverage of the 2024 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals.