ADAPTIVE ROWING ROBERT HALL CLAIRE DEAN GUILDFORD ROWING

ADAPTIVE ROWING ROBERT HALL CLAIRE DEAN GUILDFORD ROWING CLUB

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

ADAPTIVE AT GUILDFORD

ADAPTIVE AT GUILDFORD • • Guildford Rowing Club was founded in 1882. 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 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

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

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

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

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

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, 200 m 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 2 x in London 2012 SHERRIF BOATHOUSE AT THE REDGRAVE PINSENT ROWING LAKE

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 3 rd 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

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.

INTEGRATING ADAPTIVE ROWING – C 0 MPETITION • PRIDE OF BRISTOL • MASTERS D EIGHT – AVERAGE 50+ • WOMENS JUNIOR 17 4 X – IN FULL WAR PAINT • GUILDFORD ADAPTIVE SINGLE

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

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 Thanks to the generosity of our sponsors Guildford has one of the best adaptive fleets in the country VOLUNTEERS We have a great cadre of volunteers but need more to expand. Rowing skills are not needed, confidence in and around water is

GUILDFORD ADAPTIVE ROWING QUESTIONS ? A WIN FOR EVERYONE