Hi, I’m Eva Barrellon-Kendall, and I’ve been selected to represent England at the 2025 Commonwealth Rowing Association Beach Sprint Championships in the mixed double sculls in Barbados!

Why Coastal Rowing Matters

Beach sprint rowing is rowing’s wild cousin: a fast, head-to-head race that starts with a beach run, heads out to sea around buoys, and finishes with a sprint to hit the buzzer. It’s thrilling, inclusive, and will be part of the LA 2028 Olympics.

At the Commonwealth Regatta, all crew boats are mixed sex, making the event more inclusive. And because races are on coasts or lakes, countries don’t need expensive flat-water facilities, opening the sport to more athletes worldwide.

I’ve already won multiple national and European medals in coastal and beach sprint rowing. But the step up to racing internationally as a self-funding athlete is huge, and your support can make it possible.

My Journey

Rowing has shaped my life, teaching me resilience, teamwork, and determination. During the pandemic, I nearly gave up the sport after burnout from training through lockdowns. Discovering coastal rowing reignited my passion. Since then, I’ve won multiple national and European medals in coastal and beach sprint rowing, and now I have the chance to wear the England vest on the Commonwealth stage.

As a trainee sports psychologist, I know how vital mental resilience is. My journey is about more than medals. It is about perseverance, rediscovery, and inspiring others to keep going through challenges.

Why I Need Your Support

Great Britain and England are among the strongest nations in coastal rowing, yet international competitions receive little funding. I cover my year-round training and competition costs myself, but to race at the Commonwealths, I need to raise £1,600 for:

Every contribution helps:

The Impact of Your Support

Your donation helps me achieve a lifelong dream, and it also supports a growing, inclusive sport where England can shine on the world stage.

I’ll keep you updated with training progress and competition highlights so you can share the journey with me.

Thank you so much for your support. It means the world ❤️

— Eva