Athlone’s Sophie selected for Youth Olympics trials

Athlone Boat Club’s Sophie Reynolds has been selected to participate in trials for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in the coastal beach sprints competition.

Athlone Boat Club confirmed that Sophie had been shortlisted for the trial series and “is the first female rower” from the club to participate at Youth Olympics level.

Coastal beach sprints are a dynamic and fast-paced rowing format that combines running, racing, and navigation. Athletes start with a sprint across the sand to open-hulled boats, row 250m out to a turn, navigate through waves and surf, and then run back to the beach to finish first.

Sophie was introduced to rowing by her aunt at the age of eight years as a cox, but she developed an interest in rowing, starting her journey as a rower on the water at the age of nine.

“Her most memorable race with Athlone Boat Club was at the Skibbereen Grand League Regatta, when, as a 15-year-old, she was part of the J18 quad team to win the competition,” Kenny Colsh, Athlone BC captain said.

According to the club captain, Sophie is currently training six days per week and also travelling to Co. Donegal during the week where the Loughros Club are helping her with the coastal aspect of the event.

“Sophie is nervous, but excited, at having this opportunity to take part in the upcoming trial and although the concepts are the same, getting from the start to finish as fast as possible, there is much more to each sport than Sophie originally thought.

“You are running, entering and exiting the boat, while you also have harsher conditions, but Sophie is learning all the time and embracing the challenge. Sophie feels lucky to be doing both types of rowing in a sport she loves,” Colsh added.

Colsh stated that Athlone BC had purchased a coastal boat which “will be used at Coosan Point to support rowers like Sophie” who will hopefully follow in her footsteps.