1. ADAPTIVE ROWING
ROBERT HALL
CLAIRE DEAN
GUILDFORD ROWING CLUB

2. Adaptive rowing is rowing for persons with a disability
Adaptive rowing is rowing for persons with a disability. It is about removing barriers to participation in the sport to anyone who has a physical, sensory or learning impairment
Agenda
Adaptive at Guildford
Rowing and the Paralympics
Developing Adaptive Rowing

3. ADAPTIVE AT GUILDFORD

4. ADAPTIVE AT GUILDFORD
Guildford Rowing Club was founded in It has one of the narrowest, shortest stretches of river on which an active rowing club is based in the UK
The disadvantages for rowing are compensated by the fact that it is ideal for beginners and adaptive rowing
The club is thriving with over 200 members and a long waiting list for junior membership
In 2004 an ex member of the club brought down a number of adaptive rowers who he had identified as potential paralympic contendors. Of these;
Helene Raynsford became a world champion in 2006 and a gold medalist in Beijing in 2008
Vicki Hansford became a world champion in 2006 and a bronze medalist in Beijing in 2008
When Helene and Vicki left to join the GB squad their specialist equipment went with them
In 2009 Claire Dean and Robert Hall started a new adaptive section aiming at “Sport for All”. Claire has MS and was recommended to try rowing by her coach at the Samson Centre

5. INDOOR ROWING
Claire, Hilary and Jane – Tuesday mornings the Samson Centre
Indoor rowing machines, ergos, are ideal for starting rowing without the added complexity of water!
Specialist seats are needed to provide stability and allow optimum use of the strongest muscles

6. ON THE WATER
We now have a fleet of one double scull, and four single sculls
All the single sculls are to the international design used at the Paralympics , three have been used at world or Paralympic events
All have been funded through the generosity of
Helene Raynsford
Windsor Community Fund
Guildford Borough Council
The Co-operative community fund
The Rowing Foundation
Surrey Community Foundation – The Hamilton Fund

7. IN THE WATER!
The pontoons on our boats and their general design make them very stable. In the unlikely event of a capsize it is important that the adaptive rower knows what to do. Canoe night at the Guildford Lido is an ideal location for capsize drills

8. ROWING AND THE PARALYMPICS
The Beijing Paralympics was the first to include rowing as an event. There are 4 events
Arms and shoulders
In single sculls, one event for women and one for men
Trunk and arms
In double sculls, a mixed event
Legs trunks and arms
In coxed fours, a mixed event, no more than 2 members can be registered visually impaired

9. BRITISH ROWING
Rowing provides one of the most successful British teams at the Olympics and Paralympics
Both Olympic and Paralympic rowers train together on a dedicated 2,200m lake at Caversham. Strength and conditioning training together with medical support is provided at Bisham Abbey
Rowers train for up to 17 sessions / week
After learning to scull at Guildford Nick Beighton started training with the squad in January aiming for the TA 2x in London 2012
SHERRIF BOATHOUSE AT THE REDGRAVE PINSENT ROWING LAKE

10. DEVELOPING ADAPTIVE ROWING COMPETITION
In November Claire (AS) and Hilary (TA) took part in their first competitive event for adaptive scullers, the Hampton Head. We were able to lend our 3rd boat to a Sudbury sculler.
Having demonstrated that adaptive events can be held within major competition we hope to take part in at least. 3 regattas or head next year
We have also generated interest in non competitive events
For regattas classification and handicapping to ensure good racing is a critical issue

11. DEVELOPING ADAPTIVE ROWING EXPLORATION DAYS
Rowing on a new stretch of water is a challenge
Our first and second outings were to the Thames at Weybridge, courtesy of Weybridge Ladies RC
This was to provide vital evidence in our safety case for competing at head races and regattas
In 2011 we plan to have 3 exploration days.

12. INTEGRATING ADAPTIVE ROWING – C0MPETITION
PRIDE OF BRISTOL
MASTERS D EIGHT – AVERAGE AGE 50+
WOMENS JUNIOR 17 4X – IN FULL WAR PAINT
GUILDFORD ADAPTIVE SINGLE

13. INTEGRATING ADAPTIVE ROWING – COXING
Roles of cox
Safety
Steering
Speech
Commands
Motivation
Coaching

14. DEVELOPMENTING ADAPTIVE ROWING EXPANSION
To date all our adaptive rowers have approached us via word of mouth or web site. To actively recruit we need to match rowers with volunteers
ROWERS
EQUIPMENT
VOLUNTEERS
Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors Guildford has one of the best adaptive fleets in the country
We have a great cadre of volunteers but need more to expand. Rowing skills are not needed, confidence in and around water is

15. GUILDFORD ADAPTIVE ROWING
QUESTIONS ?
A WIN FOR
EVERYONE