FAQ – International Rotterdam Coastal Races

Question: What events does Rotterdam Coastal Races organise?
Answer: We organise three events throughout the year: the Rotterdam Coastal New Year’s Races (early March, at the Kralingse Plas), the Rotterdam Coastal Races (23 May 2026, at Scheveningen), and the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints (4 to 6 September 2026, primary venue Hoek van Holland Beach). Each event has its own format, location and categories.

Question: Do you organise the NK Beach Sprint in Scheveningen?
Answer: No. We do not organise the NK Beach Sprint (the Dutch National Championships) in Scheveningen. We organise three of our own events: the Rotterdam Coastal New Year’s Races (early March, at the Kralingse Plas), the Rotterdam Coastal Races (23 May 2026, at Scheveningen), and the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints (4 to 6 September 2026, primary venue Hoek van Holland Beach). If you would like to register for one of our events, please see the question on registration below or contact us at info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl.

Question: What is coastal rowing and how is it different from regular rowing?
Answer: Coastal rowing takes place on open water rather than a flat canal or indoor course. Races are held in specially designed coastal boats that can handle waves and rougher conditions. The Rotterdam Coastal Races, for example, start with a Le Mans style running start where team captains sprint to their boats before hitting the water — something you will not find in traditional rowing.

Question: Is there anything else happening around the Rotterdam Coastal Races?
Answer: Yes. The Rotterdam Coastal Races on 23 May 2026 take place during the North Sea Regatta (NSR) in Scheveningen. This means there is plenty more to see and do on and around the beach alongside the coastal races, making it a great day out for participants and spectators alike.

Question: Who can participate in the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints?
Answer: The event is open to both national and international club athletes as well as national teams. Races are organised according to World Rowing Standards. Each category is limited to a maximum of 16 athletes or teams. In case of over-registration, the organising committee will make a selection based on past performance, experience and other relevant considerations.

Question: What categories are available at the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints?
Answer: The following categories are available:

CW1x (Women)
CW2x (Women)
CM1x (Men)
CM2x (Men)
CMix2x (Mixed)
CMix2x U18 (Mixed U18)

Question: What categories are available at the Rotterdam Coastal Races?
Answer: The Rotterdam Coastal Races are raced in coxed quad (4x+) coastal boats, in the following categories:

CW4x+ (Women)
CM4x+ (Men)
CMix4x+ (Mixed)

Question: What is the participation fee for the Beach Sprints?
Answer: The participation fee is €60 per athlete. For doubles (C2x) this means €120 per team. The fee includes use of the race boats (AVE), oars, and access to all event facilities on race day.

Question: Are lunch packages included in the registration for the Coastal Races or the Beach Sprints?
Answer: No. Lunch packages with sandwiches are not included in the registration fee for either the Rotterdam Coastal Races or the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints. At both events we provide fruit, energy bars, coffee and tea at the venue throughout the day, but we recommend bringing your own lunch and plenty of water as well, especially on warm race days.

Question: The account name shown by my bank does not match the website. Is this the correct account?
Answer: Yes, this is most likely correct. Entry fees are processed via Koninklijke Roei- en Zeilvereniging De Maas, so your bank may display a different account holder name than you expect. The current account number and account holder details are always shown on the Coastal Races event page. If anything still seems unclear, please contact us at info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl before making a payment.

Question: Do I need to bring my own boat?
Answer: No. For the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints, race boats (AVE) and oars are included in the participation fee. For other events, please check the relevant Captain’s Manual or contact us at info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl.

Question: Can I rent a boat for the Rotterdam Coastal Races?
Answer: Yes. If your team does not have its own coastal boat, you can rent one for the Rotterdam Coastal Races. The rental fee is €110 per boat. The boat type is a C4x+ (coxed coastal quad), the same boat class used during the event. Transport of the boat to and from the venue is arranged by the organising committee. To request a rental, please contact us at info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl.

Question: How does the boat rental procedure work?
Answer: Boat rental is handled by the organising committee, subject to availability. The procedure is as follows:

Send a request to info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl, mentioning your team and club, the category you have entered, and confirming that you would like to rent a C4x+.
The organising committee will check availability internally and confirm by email whether a boat can still be made available for your team.
Once availability is confirmed, you will receive a boat rental contract from a member of the organising committee. The rental fee is €110 per boat.
Transport of the rented boat to and from the venue is arranged by the organisation — you do not need to organise this yourself.

We recommend requesting a rental as early as possible, as the number of rental boats is limited.

Question: How do I register as a Dutch participant?
Answer: Dutch participants register through their rowing club via the KNRB roeievenementen platform. Registration is handled by your club’s board, so the first step is to contact your own board — they will then register your team on the KNRB website. International participants can contact the organising committee directly at info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl.

Question: Where can I find the Captain’s Manual?
Answer: Each event has its own Captain’s Manual with detailed information on the schedule, rules, course and practical arrangements. The manuals are published as a downloadable PDF on the relevant event page on our website, and are updated as race day approaches. We recommend that every team captain reads the latest version before the event.

Question: What happens if the weather is bad on race day?
Answer: Sunday 6 September is reserved as a backup day for the Beach Sprints. The organising committee reserves the right to modify the schedule if weather conditions differ from the forecast. In previous editions, strong winds at Hoek van Holland led to a last-minute move to Vlietland Beach. Weather updates are shared via communiqués in the days before race day.

Question: Is training possible before the Beach Sprints?
Answer: Yes. Training sessions are available on request on Thursday 4 and Friday 5 September. Please contact the organising committee at info@rotterdambeachsprints.nl to arrange this.

Question: Where can I stay during the Rotterdam Coastal Races?
Answer: The Rotterdam Coastal Races take place on 23 May 2026 in Scheveningen. We recommend looking for an apartment or hotel in Scheveningen or The Hague city centre, both of which offer plenty of accommodation options at a range of price points.

Question: Where can I stay during the Beach Sprints weekend?
Answer: The primary venue for the International Rotterdam Beach Sprints is Hoek van Holland Beach. However, the venue may change depending on weather conditions — in previous editions, strong winds led to a last-minute move to Vlietland Beach. For this reason, we advise waiting until closer to the event before booking your accommodation. That said, here are your options depending on the venue:

If the event is held at Hoek van Holland Beach, look for an apartment or hotel in Hoek van Holland or nearby.
If the event moves to Vlietland Beach, a shuttle bus will run from metro station Leidschendam-Voorburg to the venue. Accommodation near Rotterdam Beurs metro station is also a good option, as it sits between both venues and works well whichever location is used.
Camping Vlietland is situated right within the Vlietland recreation area and is a convenient option if the event moves there.

We recommend booking refundable accommodation where possible, given the potential for a venue change.

Question: How do I get to the venue?
Answer: For the Rotterdam Coastal Races on 23 May, the venue is in Scheveningen, at Water & Hengelsport Vereniging De Afrit, Hellingweg 135, 2583 DZ Den Haag. By public transport, take HTM bus 28 from Den Haag Centraal towards Zuidstrand and alight at the Norfolk stop, which is roughly a 4 minute walk from the venue. By car, parking is available along the Hellingweg; please note that parking is paid from 18:00 and that a parking space cannot be guaranteed. For the Beach Sprints (4 to 6 September), the primary venue is Hoek van Holland Beach. If the event moves to Vlietland Beach, a shuttle bus will run from metro station Leidschendam-Voorburg to the venue. More detailed travel information will be shared in the Captain’s Manual closer to race day.

Question: Where can I follow the latest news and updates?
Answer: The best way to stay up to date is to follow us on Instagram. We post the latest news, event updates, photos and announcements there. You can also get in touch directly via info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl.

Question: I have a question that is not answered here. Who can I contact?
Answer: You can reach us via the contact form on our website or by emailing info@rotterdamcoastalraces.nl. We will get back to you as soon as possible.