Melville Beach  Sprint Image
First Annual
Melville Beach Sprints
A Pre-Olymipic
Coastal Rowing Event
Saturday, August 9, 2025
East Beach, New Bedford, MA
New Bedford Chase Graphic
First Annual
New Bedford Chase
A Coastal Rowing
6K Endurance Event
Sunday, August 10, 2025
East Beach, New Bedford, MA
Join the City of New Bedford and Row New Bedford Foundation for the first-ever Melville Beach Spirits/ New Bedford Chase Regatta. A weekend of intense, close-up, alongshore action guaranteed to produce thrilling memories for competitors and spectators alike.

USRowing-sanctioned and refereed events on a spectator-friendly course make this regatta a don't-miss.

New to Beach Sprints?

  • Watch Beach Sprints Explained, from World Rowing.
  • Register for the USRowing Beach Sprints Clinic, scheduled for Friday, August 8 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Get hands-on experience as USRowing coaches use the New Bedford course to introduce athletes of all levels of experience to the format and technique of beach sprints

Ready to get serious?

Register for one or both of the weekend's events.

Scheduled two weeks after the Boston Beach Sprints and a month before the Cape Code Coastal Rowing Regatta, our New Bedford coastal regatta plugs a hole in your training schedule, helping you close the gap between wannabe and serious competitor.

Help Inaugurate this annual event

A fund-and awareness-raiser for equipment to benefit the 6,000 New Bedford middle and highchool students stuck on the beach, who lack the shells and oars to access the water.

The New Bedford Chase Regatta, August 9 - 10 in New Bedford, MA, is a standout chance for athletes in New England and nationwide to try something new. This three-day event is a unique opportunity for athletes to gain early experience in both Beach Sprints and Coastal Endurance formats before the competition deepens nationally and internationally. For U19 rowers, it’s a great way to step into the sport early.

The New Bedford Chase Regatta, August 9 - 10 in New Bedford, MA, is a standout chance for athletes in New England and nationwide to try something new. This three-day event is a unique opportunity for athletes to gain early experience in both Beach Sprints and Coastal Endurance formats before the competition deepens nationally and internationally. For U19 rowers, it’s a great way to step into the sport early.

Event Schedule:

Friday, August 8

USRowing Beach Sprints Clinic,
7am-4pm

  • A hands-on development session led by experienced coaches—highly recommended for athletes looking to compete at a higher level.
  • Register here on USRowing Camps
  • Note: This camp takes place on August 8th, not August 2-3rd. You must be registered with USRowing and logged in to register.

Saturday, August 9

Beach Sprints Regatta,
7:30am-7pm

Fast, exciting, and spectator-friendly racing right from the beach!

Sunday, August 10

Coastal Endurance Races,
7:30am-7pm

Featuring 4k heats and 6k finals, this format tests endurance, strategy, and adaptability on open water.

Whether you're racing, learning, or cheering from the shoreline, the New Bedford Chase Regatta is your chance to be part of the movement shaping the next chapter of American coastal rowing.