West End
Rowing Club
Rowing Club
Surf starts, beach sprints, open water — the boldest version of the sport, and Auckland's only dedicated coastal clubhouse, at Cox's Bay.
Coastal rowing is rowing unplugged: robust boats, real waves, races decided by a sprint up the sand. World Rowing has taken beach sprints onto the Olympic pathway, and New Zealand is building its squad now — West End's own Erin James has already represented NZ in coastal. Whether you're a flat-water rower wanting a new challenge or a total beginner who likes the beach better than the river, this is the easiest "yes" in our club.
West End's coastal base is the club's 1900s clubhouse at 55 West End Road, suspended over the water at Cox's Bay — with a deck that faces the sunset. See it in action on the club's YouTube channel.
Head-to-head elimination racing: sprint down the beach, row 250 m out, turn, and race back. Power, navigation and nerve under fatigue.
Point-to-point races over open water — distance, skill and adaptability as the conditions shift beneath you.
Exploratory rowing along the coastline with competitive racing elements — the adventure end of the sport.
West End ran Auckland's first-ever Beach Sprints regatta at St Heliers in 2023, and Kohimarama's 45-race festival the same summer. Watch this space — and the tide charts — for the next one.
Follow @beachsprintsnz for the latest events and results.
