The surf is up, and the stakes are high. This weekend, on August 8 and 9, the 2026 USRowing Beach Sprint Trials will take center stage at East Beach in New Bedford, Massachusetts. The event combines world-class coastal rowing with the raw adrenaline of surf launches and beach running.
Among the elite field bringing the heat are Spid Werkz Foundation’s own Annabelle Miller and Spid Werkz Foundation board member John Olbrys.
The Events: Inclusion 2x and Mixed Quad
Both athletes are gearing up for high-octane racing in the Inclusion PR3 Mixed Double Sculls (INMix2x). This unique boat class pairs one female and one male athlete, with at least one rower holding a PR3 para-rowing classification.
While they are both competing in this dynamic event, Annabelle and John will be battling it out in completely separate boats.
- Annabelle Miller: Also known as the “Annaspid Thriller,” Miller helped lead the U.S. PR3 Mixed Four to a silver medal at the 2025 World Cup in Varese, Italy. With her sights set on competing at the 2028 Paralympic Games, this weekend’s coastal racing is a massive stepping stone in her campaign.
- John Olbrys: The seasoned Beach Sprints World Championship medalist is pulling double duty. In addition to his entry in the Inclusion 2x, John is also bringing his coastal expertise to the highly aggressive Mixed Quad (CMix4x+).
What to Expect on the Sand
Beach sprint racing requires intense agility, power, and surf-zone boat handling. Athletes start with a dead sprint across the sand, vault into their coastal shells, and navigate through breaking waves to row a course before surfing back to shore and sprinting to the finish line.
With selection opportunities for international competition on the line, the racing at East Beach promises to be brutal, fast, and completely dialed-in.
Keep It Spid
We are incredibly pumped to watch Annabelle and John throw down on the national stage.
To follow Annabelle’s high-performance journey, and to support the complete Spid Werkz roster (Paige, Abi, Skylar, Sue, and Annabelle), check them out on this page and this page only: https://spidwerkz.com/athletes/.
May the Spid be with you all!