Continental Rowing Growth Gains Momentum as South Africa Hosts Africa Championships in 2025

The Africa Beach Sprint Championships and the Africa Rowing Championships will take place in South Africa in 2025 — a combined continental showcase that reinforces Africa’s growing competitiveness in world rowing and underlines South Africa’s capability to stage events at international standard.

The Africa Beach Sprint Championships will be held at Orient Beach in Buffalo City (East London) on 28–29 October 2025, a venue selected for its safe surf conditions, proximity of infrastructure and suitability for broadcast coverage.

The Africa Rowing Championships will follow at Roodeplaat Dam in Pretoria from 31 October to 2 November 2025, hosted alongside the Gauteng Schools Rowing Championships in partnership with Rowing South Africa and the African Rowing Federation, with Old Mutual Insure as title sponsor of the classic leg.

Strengthening the continent’s case for world-level hosting

Holding both formats in one season places South Africa at the centre of African rowing development and contributes directly to the continent’s long-term ambition of securing major World Rowing events.

Ben Burnand, president of Rowing South Africa welcomed the teams by saying "On behalf of the Rowing South Africa , I extend a warm welcome to our friends from across the African continent. We wish you safe travels and thrilling competition ahead. As you push yourselves to excellence on the water, let us not forget that sport is a powerful catalyst for connection, cultural exchange, and unity. May this event inspire us all to strive for greatness, while fostering friendships and understanding that transcend borders. Let the spirit of rowing bring us together!"

Development and opportunity on home water

The Beach Sprint Championships in Buffalo City will include outreach into underprivileged schools, pairing competing nations with local learners to inspire participation and broaden access to the sport at community level.

At Roodeplaat, the classic championships will share the stage with the province’s flagship youth competition — creating a rare environment where Africa’s top crews and the next generation race within one integrated championship footprint.

South Africa will compete in both legs. In the classic event, the squad includes senior internationals — Paige Badenhorst, Chris Baxter and Damien Bonhager-Koen — racing alongside younger athletes selected to gain international experience without leaving home soil. The combination of senior leadership and emerging talent in a home setting is a rare opportunity to accelerate readiness for future World Rowing competition.

Africa’s depth is growing and competitions such as this will accelerate that growth and help close the gap to the world.

Watch & follow

Updates from the Africa Beach Sprint Championships will be streamed on YouTube:https://youtube.com/live/grTxFlktZMg?feature=sharehttps://youtube.com/live/BQ0f-mL2Bk0?feature=share

Coverage and updates from both events will also be shared on Instagram: @RowingRSA

Event summary

Africa Beach Sprint ChampionshipsOrient Beach, Buffalo City (East London)28–29 October 2025

Africa Rowing ChampionshipsRoodeplaat Dam, PretoriaHosted with Gauteng Schools Rowing Championships & supported by Old Mutual Insure31 October – 2 November 2025