News

Posted: 08 December 2025

The Scotland Rowing Team saw great success at the CRA Beach Sprint Championships. The team was comprised of 7 athletes, four senior athletes, and three under 21 athletes, who took to the Caribbean waters to test themselves against the best from the Commonwealth nations.

Scotland Rowing Team | Christian Taylor

Throughout the training and competition, the team all learned from the experience from how to navigate a Beach Sprint course, to managing the tropical climate and international environments and the high competition standard. Over the course of 3 days racing we saw three crews and our senior relay team return with medals. The four medals, two silver and two bronze, saw Scotland finish third in the medal tally behind incredibly strong teams from Australia (7) & Canada (5) once again showing that Scotland are a force to be reckoned with in the Beach Sprints discipline. 

There were many tight races, and some of the racing highlights include, the CW1x Semi Final where Heather Gordon (Inverness RC) took on Natacha Searson (Jersey) in a familiar race from earlier this season, losing by a margin of just 0.6s. She then took on the B-Final 12 minutes later displaying strength and endurance to lead England throughout to receive a hard-earned bronze medal. 

Heather sculling through the crystal waters of Browne’s Beach | Christian Taylor

In the U21 CM1x, Harris Bisset (University of St Andrews BC) had two strong races in the repechage and semi-final before he met tough competition from Australia in the A-Final. Meanwhile, the CMix2x put on a strong display in the quarter final to beat Jersey to the semi-final place, where they lost to the ultimate winners. In the B-final, the University of St Andrews BC combination (Tom Mitchell & Hansine Marshall) showed their skill and endurance to take home the bronze medal. This combination learned to row in St Andrews only 15 months before competing at the highest level – a very impressive feat for such a short time in the sport.

Harris Bisset (University of St Andrews BC) racing up the course, being steered by lead coach, Iain Docwra | Christian Taylor

Tom Mitchell & Hansine Marshall (University of St Andrews BC) working hard in the early stages of the CMix2x | Christian Taylor

Penny Irvine (Edinburgh University BC) tested herself in her inaugural Beach Sprint competition in the U21 CW1x and alongside Scott MacCallum (Strathclyde Park RC) in the U21 CMix2x, earning impressive 5th and 4th place finish, respectively. These exciting races introduced her to the unpredictable nature of Beach Sprints – which keeps everyone on their toes and provides jeopardy in every race.

Penny Irvine (Edinburgh University BC) racing to get into her seat in the U21 CW1x | Christian Taylor

Scott (Strathclyde Park RC) & Penny (Edinburgh University BC) looking calm and collected as they race the U21 CMix2x | Christian Taylor

In the relay, our four senior rowers took to the course again in an event unique to the Commonwealth competition. Each team starts with a solo (either male or female) who sets off first. On their return, they run up the beach to tag one of the Mix2x, who sets off to meet their partner. And for the final leg, the other rower in the double returns up the beach to tag the final solo. Following strong performances in the Time Trial and Semi Finals, the Scotland Team was led out by Heather Gordon who put down a storming row to reach the handover ahead of Australia. The CMix2x set off well, but were caught by the Australians on their way round the course, and reached the second handover first. This gave Gregor Hall a tough row against the Australian CM1x who had won the event the previous day. The team took home the silver medal with a very strong team performance showing the strength and depth of the Scotland Rowing Team at the CRA Beach Sprint Championships.

Gregor Hall (Stirling RC) pushed from the shore as he starts his race in the CM1x | Christian Taylor

See below for the full Scotland Rowing Team results:

U21 CW1x – Penny Irvine: 5th (from TT/Rep) 
U21 CM1x – Harris Bisset: 2nd  
U21 CMix 2x – Penny Irvine, Scott MacCallum: 4th  
CW1x – Heather Gordon: 3rd 
CM1x – Gregor Hall: 5th (from TT/QF loss) 
CMix2x – Hansine Marshall, Tom Mitchell: 3rd  
Team Relay – Heather Gordon, Tom Mitchell, Hansine Marshall, Gregor Hall: 2nd

There was further Scottish Rowing interest across the regatta as Edinburgh University BC student James Lamboll finishing fourth in the U21 CM1x as he represented Barbados at his first international Beach Sprint Regatta, and University of St Andrews BC rower Natasha Philips won Gold in the U21 CW1x for the island of Guernsey.

James Lamboll (Edinburgh University BC, left) with his Barbados teammates | Christian Taylor

Tash Philips (University of St Andrews BC, second left) with her support team from Guernsey | Christian Taylor 

There were more reasons to celebrate at the 2025 Commonwealth Beach Sprint Championships as Kate O’Sullivan was elected as the new President of the Commonwealth Rowing Association following a joint nomination from Scotland & Wales. We look forward to working closely with and supporting Kate as rowing strives to build a positive case for inclusion in the 2030 Commonwealth Games programme which will be held in Amdavad, India. Scottish Rowing would also like to extend a warm thanks to outgoing president, Peter Cookson (CAN), for his outstanding contribution to rowing across the Commonwealth nations during his eight years leading the Commonwealth Rowing Association.

New CRA President, Kate O’Sullivan, addressing the nations shortly after umpiring the final races of the Regatta | Christian Taylor 

The Team preparing for the opening ceremony | John Searson  

The Commonwealth Rowing Association aims to develop the sport of rowing across the Commonwealth and offer competitions for all affiliated nations every four years. This year’s competition saw 14 competing nations take part with Australia dominating the medals, and some new talent from Barbados, Turks and Caicos, and Vanuatu. The CRA also hosted training courses during the week for developing coaches and new umpires. Throughout the competition, we enjoyed the hospitality of Barbados and the Commonwealth Rowing Association, with opportunities to be part of a Team Parade, and the Opening Ceremony for the BiiG Games. There is a fantastic ethos of support across the commonwealth nations and we were glad to be able to play a part in developing the sport and participating in a supportive competition environment.

The Commonwealth Nations coming together to celebrate the regatta with a dance on the beach | Christian Taylor