Barbados’ young rowers make waves in historic Commonwealth Beach Sprints

Barbados delivered a performance far beyond its size at the 2025 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprints Championships, held on home waters for the first time in regional history.

Against rowing powerhouses like England, Canada, Australia, South Africa, Wales, and Scotland, Barbados’ five athletes, including three juniors, stunned spectators, coaches, and international officials by taking home four medals from five entries.

According to the Barbados Rowing Association President, Dr Anthony Yarde, in an interview with Barbados Today, the performance was more than a sporting success. It was proof that Barbados has the potential to become a force in world rowing, if given the infrastructure and support it urgently needs.

The atmosphere at Browne’s Beach from November 21 to 23 was electric as Barbadian juniors demonstrated poise, power, and skill well beyond their years. Theodore Spieler, competing internationally at this level for the very first time, captured two silver medals. One in the U-19 single scull, and another in the mixed doubles alongside Lucy Tomlin, who also claimed her own silver medal in that event. Jon-Luke Wiggins, just 18 years old, earned bronze in the U-19 single scull — after only two weeks of intensive water training, having previously practised mostly on rowing machines and limited water access due to equipment constraints.

In the U-21 category, James Lamboll, in his first-ever competition using a coastal beach sprint boat, rowed his way to the semi-finals, placing fourth overall against seasoned international competitors.

Senior athlete Christian Howard, returning from a serious two-year injury, finished a commendable eighth overall in the Men’s Single Scull.

Dr Yarde was quick to emphasise, “This is proof that with even limited resources, Barbados can produce world-class athletes. This was a significant achievement at one of the highest levels of competition.”

That message resonated throughout the championship — and beyond. In a formal statement to the Barbados Rowing Association, Commonwealth Rowing Association President Peter Cookson officially endorsed the nomination of Tomlin, Spieler, and Wiggins to represent Barbados at the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar, describing their performances as “particularly satisfying” and noting their technical skill, competitiveness, and rapid development.

“This is what we call homegrown success,” Dr Yarde insisted, reflecting proudly on Wiggins’ two-week water-based preparation before claiming bronze. “This was not an athlete training overseas with big-name coaches or Olympic facilities. He trained mostly here and lives here. They learned to row here.”

But Barbados’ success came with a caution.

“We are now in danger of losing the very boats that got us here,” Yarde revealed. The 10 boats secured through the Ministry of Sports and the National Sports Council, essential for both training and competition, are currently stored under temporary conditions at Browne’s Beach, with a Monday deadline to relocate them, but there is nowhere suitable to go.

“We have two containers of boats, and we need a home, close to the beach, so that these young athletes can train. The boats are heavy. You cannot keep transporting them every day. We need a rowing facility, a home base,” the president explained.

Without a permanent training site and proper equipment access, Barbados cannot adequately prepare its young athletes for the Youth Olympics. The international endorsement is there. The talent is there. But the infrastructure is missing.

“This performance proves we belong. But to stay here, to compete at the Junior Olympics, to bring home Olympic medals, our young talent would need support.” Yarde stressed.

The president also acknowledged the significant assistance of the Ministry of Youth, Sports and Community Empowerment of Barbados and Minister Charles Griffith, along with the Barbados Olympic Association. However, the aid of corporate Barbados would also be welcomed.

A facility would not only protect boats, but it would also serve as a national rowing training centre, a development hub for juniors, and a base for expanding the sport, both locally and possibly across the region. Barbados’ coastline is considered one of the best natural environments for beach rowing competition, perfectly suited for training and hosting international events.

Barbados hosted an amazing international Commonwealth event, and based on the fantastic reviews by the overseas competitors and coaching staff, along with the positive impact it had on the local businesses during the championships, it was sports tourism at its best.

The island’s junior athletes bested competitors from rowing’s traditional strongholds. Their performances have turned heads, stirred admiration from many visiting coaches, and earned official backing for Youth Olympic selection. (AS)