New Cork club sets sights on Olympic glory for coastal rowing

Rowing will, for the first time, be featured in two different disciplines at the LA Olympics in four years — classic river rowing and coastal rowing

Members of the Ballycotton Rowing Club taking a boat out along Ardnahinch beach in Shanagarry. Founded just 12 months ago, Ballycotton Rowing Club has quickly grown to nearly 100 members, with a 50/50 gender split. Picture: Howard Crowdy

A new rowing club in Cork has set its sights on producing Ireland’s first Olympic coastal rowing champions for the sport’s Olympic debut at the 2028 LA games.

It’s an ambitious vision for Ballycotton Rowing Club which was founded just over a year ago by husband-and-wife rowing coaches, Ger and Emer McLean.