Rowers train off Golden Beach in Qingdao ahead of the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals. [Photo/VCG]

The 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals are underway in Qingdao, Shandong province, bringing athletes from around the world to Golden Beach in the city's West Coast New Area.

The four-day competition, running from Oct 18 to 21, has attracted 303 athletes representing 52 countries and regions, with 222 crews. This marks the largest number of participating countries and regions for an edition held outside Europe, with nine countries, including Colombia and Indonesia, making their event debuts.

The event features 10 events across senior, junior and inclusion categories, with China competing in nine.

Unlike traditional flat-water rowing, beach sprint rowing combines running on sand with racing through a buoy-marked offshore course. Competitors sprint from the beach to their boats, navigate the course and return to shore for a final dash across the finish line.

This fast-paced discipline, in which waves, wind, and tides can influence the outcome, will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games.

The finals follow the 2026 World Rowing Coastal Championships, also held in Qingdao, marking the first time China has hosted both major coastal rowing competitions in the same period.

Hosting these back-to-back events highlights Qingdao's growing presence on the international rowing calendar and its efforts to develop coastal sports.