USRowing Coaches Coastal Rowing Clinic at Arcadia Lake
Coaches Coastal Rowing Clinic
August 26-28
USRowing is hosting a Coastal Coaching Certification Clinic at Arcadia Lake in Edmond, OK, alongside the Route 66 Beach Festival’s beach sprint rowing event. The clinic will be led by US National Team Coach Marc Oria and will be hosted in the University of Central Oklahoma Boathouse at Arcadia Lake, August 26-28. UCO is a US Olympic and Paralympic Training Site.
Marc Oria, US National Team Coach
Marc Oria is a leading figure in US coastal rowing and coaches the U.S. Coastal Rowing Team as well as leading Next Level Rowing offering specialty training for high performance coastal rowing. Oria has achieved success in flat-water and coastal rowing as both an athlete and a coach. Since 2021, he has led the U.S. national team to 18 medals at the Coastal and Beach Sprint Championships. A native of Spain, Oria rowed for the Catalunya and Spanish National Teams. He began coaching in 1999 and led the Catalunya National Team to medal at the 2006 World Rowing Championships and later, to compete in the 2016 Olympics.
Three-Day Clinic for Experienced Rowing Coaches
The three-day clinic is open to experienced coaches interested in learning about the new discipline which is quickly gaining traction in the competitive rowing world. The format will follow the World Rowing Coastal Coaching model and will include classroom instruction, on-water application and practical considerations associated with the sport. Prerequisite online coursework must be completed before attending.
Curriculum for the clinic includes coastal rowing basics, safety and risk management, launching/rescue drills, race technique, beach sprint logistics, course setup, dynamic risk assessment and a beach sprint regatta.
Coaches who complete the course are eligible for both USRowing and World Rowing Coastal Coaching Certification. The cost is $499.
Why Beach Sprints & Coastal Rowing Are Growing
Marc Oria, in his own words…”Beach Sprints aren’t just rowing; they’re an explosion of athleticism, adaptability, and excitement compressed into under three minutes; they are raw, fast, and beautifully chaotic. What I wish people knew is how multidimensional this sport is; you need to be mentally sharp and physically agile to succeed. It’s not just about rowing strength; it’s about reading the water, reacting to chaos, staying relaxed under pressure, and pushing your limits with complete precision. You don’t just row- you sprint, navigate, adapt, and recover all in one breath. It’s the most dynamic and inclusive form of rowing we’ve ever seen, and it’s opening new doors for athletes from diverse backgrounds. It’s a discipline that builds complete athletes, and that’s what makes it such an exciting frontier for rowing and Olympic sport as a whole.”
Read more about Marc Oria and the growth of coastal rowing on USRowing.
Route 66 Beach Festival
The Route 66 Beach Festival is bringing two days of beach sprints rowing competition together with dragon boat and kayak racing, live music, great food and a beachy vibe just right for the last weekend of summer! Rowers new to beach sprints, members of the US National Team and Peru’s national beach sprints team will all be competing on the lake with waves created by WaveRunners and speed boats – we always add a twist!
Stay to see the racing and experience the festival, August 29-30. Arcadia Lake is located in Edmond, just minutes north of downtown OKC with great hotels, dining and shopping in this upscale community. Learn more about the festival here.