Last Saturday, the second edition of L’Escala Coastal Rowing was held in L’Escala, a sea rowing regatta organized by Club Nàutic L’Escala and the Catalan Rowing Federation, with the support of the General Secretariat of the ‘Sport of the Generalitat de Catalunya, the Costa Brava Tourism Board, the Provincial Council of Girona, Ports of the Generalitat and the City Council of L’Escala.
The event had the participation of thirty oarsmen and oarsmen from different parts of Catalonia, who competed in the Beach Sprint modality, a discipline that will make its debut at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games and consists of a circuit of 500 meters between buoys with departure and arrival from the sand. This format allows very fast and spectacular races to be contested that can be followed from the beach, which makes it easier to bring the sport closer to the public.
A day of flat seas and intense competition
The tests, which were distributed between a time trial, semi-finals and finals, took place at Riells beach in L’Escala, where good flat sea conditions were enjoyed throughout the day. The races started at 10 a.m. and lasted until 2 p.m., when the trophies were handed out at Club Nàutic L’Escala.
The winners of the day
The Olympic Rowing Club Barcelona was the main protagonist of the competition, as it took first and third place in the absolute men’s individual category, which corresponded to Gerard Andreu and Eustoquio Mendoza, respectively. The second place was Enric Vicens of Club Nàutic L’Escala.
In the absolute women’s individual category, Club de Rem Olímpic Barcelona also won gold and silver, which went to Júlia Ros and Ellie Romeo, respectively. The third position went to Elsa Torrent from Club Nàutic L’Escala. As for the individual cadet category, the first two prizes went to Aitor García and Abril Rubio, who represented the Xon’s Empuriabrava club.
Among the veterans, Eva Martínez from the Barcelona Olympic Rowing Club won the women’s individual event, followed by Natàlia Guillamet and Assumpta Vizcaíno, both from Club Nàutic L’Escala. In the men’s individual race, first place went to Nicolas Meunier, while second and third went to Xavier Boix of the Banyoles Swimming Club and Xavier Blach of the Cambrils Rowing Club, respectively.
In the mixed doubles events, Club de Rem Olímpic Barcelona once again dominated, as they took first and second place with the pairs formed by Júlia Ros–Gregorio García and Eustoquio Mendoza–Ellie Romeo, respectively. Among the veterans, their teammates Eva Martínez and Jaime Ros were the winners, followed by Assumpta Vizcaíno–Jordi Puig from Club Nàutic L’Escala and Xavi Blach–Giuliana Tuttolomondo from Club de Rowing Cambrils.
The next appointment of the Beach Sprint
The Beach Sprint mode of sea rowing will once again take center stage next Saturday, April 6, when a new test will be held at the Cambrils Rowing Club. This competition will be a good opportunity to continue enjoying this exciting and spectacular sport.
