St Andrews rowers help power Team GB to sprint success

Team GB celebrated a successful campaign at the 2025 World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals, returning from Antalya with gold, silver and bronze medals across multiple events, with the University playing a significant role.  

The University’s coastal rowing programme provides vital training and development through the GB Beach Sprint Performance Development Academy and its designation as a Satellite Olympic Training Centre. 

Delivered in partnership with British Rowing, Scottish Rowing, and sportscotland, the Academy and Training Centre has helped shape the pathway for elite coastal rowers. 

All senior GB crews competing in Antalya benefited from training camps held in St Andrews over the summer, underscoring the University’s contribution to the national team’s preparation and performance. 

Laura McKenzie of Glasgow University Boat Club, and part of the GB Rowing World Class Programme that makes use of the Satellite Olympic Training Centre in St Andrews, secured bronze in the Women’s Solo event following a semi-final loss to Olympic champion and eventual winner Emma Twigg from New Zealand. 

St Andrews athletes in the Spotlight 

• Colin Wallace [USTA] delivered one of the standout performances of the Finals in the Inclusion Mixed Double Sculls (INMix2x), now officially recognised as a World Championship event. Racing with new partner Megan Hewison, the GB Boat delivered a commanding performance under the guidance of Scottish Rowing coach Iain Docwra, lead coach of the GB Beach Sprint Performance Development Academy based in St Andrews. After a dominant semi-final, the duo surged ahead in the final against Egypt to claim gold, becoming the first-ever World Champions in this category. 

• Ryan Glymond (MB ChB ScotGEM 2023), coxing the Coastal Mixed Coxed Quadruple Sculls (CMix4x+), led a reconfigured crew that included Natasha Phillips [USTA] and Cam Buchan [USTA]. The team delivered a thrilling quarterfinal performance, narrowly losing to host nation Turkey by just 0.35 seconds. 

• Cam Buchan [USTA] also competed in the Coastal Mixed Double Sculls (CMix2x), reaching the Last 16 with partner Natacha Searson. 

Director of Rowing Lewis McCue said: “This year’s World Rowing Beach Sprint Finals in Antalya showcased the very best of British coastal rowing, and I’m incredibly proud of the role St Andrews played in powering Team GB to the podium. Through our partnership with British Rowing, Scottish Rowing, and sportscotland, the Performance Development Academy has become a vital training ground for elite athletes.

“Seeing our rowers – Colin Wallace, Natasha Phillips, Cam Buchan, and Ryan Glymond -compete and excel on the world stage is a testament to their dedication and the strength of our coastal rowing programme. We’re honoured to support the national team and help shape the future of Olympic coastal rowing.” 

Director of Sport Stephen Stewart MBE said: “What began as an ambitious idea during a conversation I shared with Scottish Rowing CEO Lee Boucher and former Director of Rowing Allan Sinclair about creating a Beach Sprints programme has grown into a remarkable reality. What an extraordinary achievement for our athletes and for Scottish Rowing. To see St Andrews rowers not only competing but winning World Championship titles and medals on the global stage is a testament to their talent, resilience, and the collaborative support of British Rowing, Scottish Rowing, and sportscotland.

“Our designation as a Satellite Olympic Training Centre and our role in the GB Beach Sprint Performance Development Academy are already delivering impact, creating pathways for athletes to excel at the highest level. The partnership between Director of Rowing Lewis McCue and Scottish Rowing Beach Sprints Pathway Coach has taken the programme to the next level, driving innovation and performance.

“These results show what’s possible when ambition meets opportunity, and we couldn’t be prouder of the part the University plays in shaping that success.

“I’d like to thank the University Principal’s Office and colleagues from across Professional Services who continue to support this ambitious and rewarding programme, along with Tim Fenemore, whose inspirational help and advice in the early stages – and his role on the organising committee for the Home International Beach Sprints Regatta – were instrumental in laying the foundations for this journey.”