Arthur Crimmins will represent New Zealand in the men’s U19 solo event at October’s World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Qingdao, China, as the national body confirmed its development team for the competition this week.
The announcement brings together six rowers across four boat classes, each selected on the basis of their performances at recent trials and domestic competitions. Alongside Crimmins, Emily Pengelly from Bay of Plenty Coast Rowing Club claimed the women’s solo berth. The mixed double pairing of Henry Johnston and Sophie Harrison, the men’s double of Leonardo Bacchus and Guy Smith, and the women’s double of Elizabeth Keddell and Tallulah Kubaisi-Gallagher round out the squad.
Beach sprint rowing remains a relatively niche corner of the sport in New Zealand, yet the discipline has grown steadily at international level over the past decade. The format demands a different skill set from traditional on-water rowing: shorter distances, sprint-style effort, and the technical challenge of launching and recovering on sand rather than from a pontoon. For these six athletes, the October finals represent a rare opportunity to test themselves against the world’s best junior competitors in their age group.
Joseph Sullivan has been appointed as coach, with Rebecca Beattie taking on the tour manager role. Sullivan’s appointment suggests Rowing New Zealand is investing serious preparation time ahead of the Chinese leg in late October. The Qingdao venue sits on the Yellow Sea and has hosted multiple international rowing events in recent years, providing a stable and competitive environment for the finals.
The selection criteria favoured athletes who have shown not just speed but also adaptability to the unique demands of beach sprint competition. Bacchus and Smith, both from Auckland schools, represent the depth now emerging in the North Island men’s ranks, while the women’s double pairing bridges Wellington and the Bay of Plenty. The mixed double entry reflects one of beach sprint’s distinctive features as a format: the requirement for men and women to work together as equals.
For most of these rowers, this will be their first taste of competing at World Championship level. The finals run from 18 to 21 October, giving the team just over two months to prepare. Whether they succeed in securing medals or simply gain invaluable experience against elite international junior talent, the exposure serves a broader purpose. It signals that New Zealand’s rowing pipeline extends beyond traditional boat classes and that the country remains willing to develop athletes in disciplines where participation, historically, has been sparse.
