Seoul, South Korea – The Seoul Olympic Memorial National Sports Promotion Foundation’s Boat Racing Headquarters announced on December 27 the recruitment of trainees for its 18th batch of boat racers.

Open to Korean citizens aged 18 to 33, the recruitment aims to fill 20 positions, though this number may be adjusted based on the quality of applications. Prospective trainees will undergo a rigorous selection process involving document screening, written exams, personality assessments, physical fitness tests, and interviews.

Successful applicants will commence a comprehensive 16-month training program at the Boat Racing Training Center located on Yeongjongdo Island, Incheon. The curriculum will encompass both theoretical and practical aspects of boat racing.

To encourage a diverse pool of applicants, the foundation offers scholarships to individuals from low-income families, veterans, international competition medalists, and academically outstanding students. Final results are expected to be announced on February 24.

Introduced in 2002, boat racing in Korea is unique in its gender equality, offering equal opportunities to both men and women. Currently, 147 individuals, including 30 women, are professional boat racers in Korea.

The average annual earnings for boat racers exceeded 71 million won last year, with top-performing athletes earning over 100 million won. The sport offers a promising long-term career path for those who maintain strict self-discipline.

For more information on the recruitment process, please contact the Boat Racing Training Center at 032-742-1304.