St Andrews Rowers Represent GB at European Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships in Turkey
Three athletes from the University of St Andrews Boat Club proudly represented Great Britain at the 2025 European Rowing Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships, held in Manavgat, Antalya, Turkey from 8–12 October. The event brought together Europe’s top coastal rowers for a thrilling showcase of endurance, speed, and strategy on the Mediterranean coast.
Coastal Championships: A Learning Experience for GB Debutants
Racing began on Friday with the Coastal Endurance Championships, where Tom Mitchell and Hansine Marshall earned their first GB vests in the Mixed Double Sculls (2x) Member Federation event. Despite a challenging start that saw a collision with another crew just four minutes into the 6km race—leaving them 45 seconds behind the leaders—the pair showed resilience and determination. They recovered well, delivering strong middle and final sections to finish 10th overall. The experience gained was invaluable as they continue to develop at the international level.
Beach Sprint Championships: Knockout Drama and Near Upset
Saturday and Sunday saw the fast-paced Beach Sprint Championships take centre stage. Cam Buchan, the only officially entered St Andrews athlete, teamed up with Tish Searson in the Mixed Double Sculls (2x). After a slow start in the initial time trial, the duo bounced back in the second round to secure a spot in the last 16, where they faced a crew from Croatia. A well-executed race saw them advance to the quarter-finals against the reigning World Champions from Lithuania.
In a gripping contest, Buchan and Searson led at several points, pushing the Lithuanian crew to the limit. Despite their valiant effort, they were narrowly beaten to the line and exited the competition at the quarter-final stage. Cam now returns to training ahead of the World Championships in November.
Lewis McCue, Director of Rowing at the University of St Andrews, said: “This was a landmark moment for St Andrews Rowing. To see three of our athletes proudly represent Great Britain on the European stage is a testament to their dedication and the strength of our coastal programme. From battling through adversity in the endurance race to pushing world champions to the limit in the Beach Sprints, our rowers showed grit, skill, and composure. I’m incredibly proud of what they’ve achieved and excited for what’s to come as we continue to build a world-class training environment here in St Andrews.”