Local rowers Sol Chamberlain-Hyde and Tom Walker earn Great Britain selection ahead of European Coastal and Beach Sprints Championships

BRITISH Rowing has selected local rowers Sol Chamberlain-Hyde and Tom Walker as the only two U19 males in the GB Beach Sprints team in Gdansk, Poland.

Lymington Amateur Rowing Club’s Sol (17) and Christchurch rower Tom (18) will be part of the GB team competing at the European Coastal and Beach Sprints Championships.

Sol, who lives in Milford, recently won the English U19 Open Beach Sprints Championships before jointly sharing the winning crown of the Four Nations Championships, which involved beach sprints racing across England, Scotland, Wales and Jersey.

They will compete alongside established senior coastal rowers such as Christchurch Rowing Club’s Clare Jamison and the successful Scottish mixed double pair of Sam Scrimgeour and Laura McKenzie, all of whom previously medalled at the world championships in 2022 and 2023.

Sol’s involvement in beach sprinting was sparked by a chance conversation with his Lymington Amateur Rowing Club coach, Hugo Mills, last May.

Mills recognised Sol’s rowing talent and strength, and with fast, nimble running thrown in the mix, he recommended the new and upcoming format of rowing sport.

Little did he know, Sol would gain a place on the England Home International Team within a few months and selection for the GB Team in less than a year.

“To be awarded one of only two seats available for the U19 open European racing is an exciting opportunity for Sol,” said Hugo.

“Sol trains consistently and tirelessly all year, rowing on winter seas when most people are cosied up inside by the fire.

“Twice weekly training sessions at the Coastal Sculling Academy in Studland under the expert supervision of British Rowing Coach Lucy Hart, and several times a week at our own Lymington Club; Sol’s determination has helped create his success to date and now subsequently recognition from British Rowing.”

Sol will be competing in the mixed U19 doubles in the bow seat, with Leah Saunders, 18, from Evesham Rowing Club in stroke, meaning after the coastal rowing course has been completed, it will be part of Sol’s role to leap out of the boat for the sprint run to the finish line.

Tom Walker will compete in the men’s U19 solos.

Commenting on the team selection, Olympic pathway manager Tom Pattichis said: “Beach Sprints is consistently growing as a rowing discipline in the UK, and the more popular it becomes, the more talented rowers we see up for international selection.

“We’re looking forward to this first test against the other European Nations ahead of the World Rowing Beach Sprints Finals this September.”