England Team announced for 2022 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships
Three boats will compete for England at the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships (CRABS) in Walvis Bay, Namibia from 2-4 December.
England Rowing will be travelling to Africa to race at the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships (CRABS), with the competition taking place on Independence Beach, Walvis Bay, Namibia this December.
A team of four rowers has been selected to represent England. They will race across three events as well as in a team relay, with competition taking place from Friday, 2 December to Sunday, 4聽 December.
Melissa Shaw of Shoreham RC will be racing in the mixed double in what will be her first international competition: 鈥淚鈥檝e always been a coastal rower, the sea was where I first learnt to row. But I only learnt about the beach sprint format this year and decided to give it a go, it鈥檚 been so much fun and it鈥檚 such a great atmosphere. It鈥檚 so special that my first international competition will be a coastal one. I can鈥檛 wait to get to Namibia and see what Hal and I can do.鈥
For others this will be a return to the international stage, after competing for Great Britain at the recent World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals (WRBSF) and European Rowing Coastal Championships (ERCC).
Hal Flowerdew from Tynemouth RC, a student studying at Newcastle University will be moving from the solo at the ERCC to the double at CRABS said: “To be selected for my nation in the Commonwealth Beach Sprints in the mixed double is an amazing and new challenge, from moving from the single which I鈥檝e been racing all year but one I am very excited and look forward too.”
The WRBSF GB mixed double of Clare Jamison and Charles Cousins will be splitting to row the women鈥檚 and men鈥檚 solo respectively at CRABS. Clare said: “I’m excited to have another opportunity to represent England and race in the beach sprints format. I am looking forward to racing in Namibia 鈥 hopefully in the sun and waves and with some exciting competition!” Charles added: 鈥淚鈥檓 absolutely thrilled to be heading out to Swakopmund to race the Commonwealth Rowing Beach Sprints. It is no doubt going to be a very exciting place to race. The South Atlantic is wild and will provide some challenging conditions (and hopefully not too many sharks!) for us 鈥 it’s going to be a lot of fun!鈥
Welsh Rowing have also recently announced teams for the CRABS with Scottish Rowing expected to make their team announcement later this week.
All three nations are looking forward to joining other Commonwealth Nations in this historic event in Namibia, which will mark the first time a Commonwealth Rowing event has been hosted in Africa.
After acting as Team Manager at the first Home International Rowing Beach Sprints, Lucy Hart will be coaching the team and said: “I鈥檓 thrilled with the team selection particularly that it is representative of both the river and coastal community and features current and new, talented athletes. It鈥檚 really exciting to have such a strong team and the opportunity to compete against all the Commonwealth countries that we may not traditionally see in the equivalent flat water event.”
James Andrews, Head of Performance talent at British Rowing who will be travelling as the Team Manager said. 鈥淲e have selected a strong team of experienced athletes from across England, with a mix from both coastal and river community clubs. It will be a privilege to take an England Rowing team to race in Africa for the first time, especially as we await a decision on the format’s inclusion into the 2026 Commonwealth Games.鈥
Follow the England Rowing Team on their journey and show your support by following them on or and by using the hashtag #CRABS22.
Many thanks to the and the for hosting and supporting our selection trials.
England Rowing Team for the Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprints
Men鈥檚 Coastal Solo (CM1x)
Charles Cousins (Rob Roy BC)
Women鈥檚 Coastal Solo (CW1x)
Clare Jamison (Christchurch RC)
Mixed Coastal Double (CMix 2x)
Hal Flowerdew (Tynemouth RC)
Melissa Shaw (Shoreham RC)
Coach
Lucy Hart (Christchurch RC)
Team Manager
James Andrews (British Rowing)
