Holly Chaafe - Boston Beach Sprints

West Enders Erin James and Holly Chaafe have been in the USA with the NZ Beach Sprints team. Here’s a recap from Holly about her time away.

I was lucky enough to travel to LA and Boston at the end of July for a two week beach sprint training camp. I was taken as a development athlete and had a fantastic time - although I was glad to come back to NZ and have some real food!!

We spent 10 days in LA at Long Beach Rowing Association (which is right on the 2028 LA Olympic flatwater venue) and had great weather and hard training sessions. I felt that I significantly improved my beach sprint skills during this training camp.

We arrived in Boston at 12am on the morning we were competing which was tough, but we all made it through the time trials. Over the next two days, we advanced through the top 16 knockouts, before racing the quarters, semis and finals back to back. With the final rounds so close together, it gets very strategic and tiring!  

Erin and I met in the single quarterfinals. After racing side-by-side for most of the race, I just managed to edge her out for the win. I then went on to achieve 4th place overall. In the doubles Matt Dunham and I got 2nd after I snapped my oar during the gold medal race and Erin and Seb Fulton achieved 3rd. Matt, Erin and Seb are going to the World Champs in China in October, keep an eye out!

It was a great trip where I learned a lot about myself and beach sprint rowing. I am so looking forward to the NZ Beach Sprint Summer Series and everyone should come and give it a go!