For the 4th year in a row (excluding 2020), BIAC was represented at the World Rowing Coastal Championships. This year the event was held on Oct. 7-9 in Saundersfoot, Wales, UK. WRCC attracts competitors from around the world, including many current Olympians, and has no masters events. Athena Bradley and Amanda Hawkins represented BIAC and the USA in the Women's Coastal 2x on a challenging course around 7 buoys, including a 4-buoy slalom, in incredibly challenging conditions. The heats & B finals are 4k meters and the A finals are 6k meters. However, after Athena and Amanda's B final (the first of Sunday morning), officials shortened the B finals to 3k and the A finals to 4k due to water conditions. A strong outgoing tide directly against 30mph winds created overhead waves which tested even the most experienced coastal rowers.
The SF Bay Area is a great place to row and train for coastals and BIAC boasts several coastal hulls. Athena & Amanda trained in a BIAC Swift C2x at home and in San Francisco, though Wales presented the toughest conditions they'd experienced. After some waves sent them swimming, they safely & successfully finished their final and learned even more about what success means in coastal rowing. Check out more great photos from the event on Ben Rodford's website.


