All three medallists from 2016 have returned this year and showed their class to progress to tomorrow's final.

Spain's Adrian Miramon Quiroga is trying to defend his gold medal and he won heat one in a time of 20 mins 11.79sec.

Last year's silver medallist, Eduardo Linares of Peru, progressed from heat two, alongside reigning bronze medallist Dennis Gustavsson of Sweden.

Linares took third in 18:47.53, while Gustavsson finished just under two seconds behind in fourth in 18:49.25.

Two of the women’s solo medallists from 2016 are racing once again.

Gold medallist Monica Dukarska of Ireland made a strong start to her title defence, coming through heat one in first place in a time of 20:44.83.

France’s Edwig Alfred, who took bronze last year, finished third in heat two in 21:18.35.

Another French competitor, Elodie Ravera, won the second heat in 20:33.26.

France claimed a one-two in the women's double sculls first heat.

Nathalie Collet partnered Diane Delalleau to win in 19:09.60, finishing well in front of the rest of the field.

Compatriots Emma Denjean and Sylvie Thuault finished way behind in second in 19:36.31.

Denmark's Julie Schou and Kate Petersen rounded out the podium in 19:40.91.

Coastal rowing is dubbed the "extreme" version of the sport and sees competitors race on choppy water.