Ontario Rowers Named to World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals Team
Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) recently named the Canadian team set to compete at the 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals from October 18-21 in Qingdao, People’s Republic of China.
Among the three-person team are two-time Olympian Carling Zeeman (Sudbury Rowing Club) and 2026 RowOn Beach Sprint Cup Series Champion Autumn Prior (Orillia Rowing Club). Zeeman will compete in the open women’s solo and will team with BC’s Julien Bahain in the open mixed double, while Prior will compete in the junior women’s solo. Bahain will also race in the open men’s solo.
“I am very excited and honoured for the opportunity to be representing Canada at the upcoming World Beach Sprint Race in China,” said Prior on being named to the team. “I have been looking forward to competing in China and getting more experience under my belt. As for my expectations I am hoping to improve my results from last year, I was very proud of my results from last year and with the experience I’ve gained from all the Beach Sprint Cups I cannot wait to see how I will do.”
Prior will compete in her third consecutive World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals and is coming off a strong summer which saw her compete in all four regattas in the RowOn Beach Sprint Cup Series. She competed in both the U19 and open women’s division throughout the series and finished the year ranked first and third overall in the open women’s and U19 women’s series rankings respectively.
“This beach sprint season has gone very well, with more athletes participating I’ve had a lot more opportunities to race,” said Prior. “I feel like I’ve had a lot of success racing in both the open and U19 categories in doubles and solos. Competing against older and more experienced athletes has helped prepare for the competition in China.”
Zeeman enters her second World Rowing Beach Sprint Final after transitioning to beach sprints last year. The change in disciplines followed a lengthy career on the national team which included two Olympic appearances in 2016 and 2021 as well as two Pan Am Games gold medals in 2015 (1x, 4x). In June, she won gold in the open women’s solo at the Western Canadian Beach Sprint Championships and teamed with Bahain to win the open mixed double at the same event.
Sarah Pidgen (Don Rowing Club) and Aubrey Oldham (Leander Boat Club) were named as alternates in the open divisions and will also serve as boat handlers at the regatta.
The regatta will take place on Golden Beach in Qingdao West Coast New Area, one of Asia’s most celebrated coastal destinations. With its clear waters, crescent-shaped shoreline, and world-class event infrastructure, the venue provides an exceptional setting for the world’s top beach sprint rowers to compete.
Beach Sprint racing will make its Olympic debut at the Los Angeles 2028 Games, marking a significant milestone for the sport.
Team Canada – 2026 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals
Men’s Solo (CM1x)
Julien Bahain
Women’s Solo (CW1x)
Carling Zeeman
Mixed Double (CMix2x)
Julien Bahain
Carling Zeeman
Junior Women’s Solo (CJW1x)
Autumn Prior
Boat Handlers/Alternates
Aubrey Oldham
Sarah Pidgen
Michael Strumberger (Boat Handler Only)
Coach
Katie Bahain-Steenman
Support Staff
Shannon Kennedy (Physio)
Tracy Stuart née Cameron
With files from RCA.
