Blind sculler achieves his dream
On 4th – 7th April Weybridge Rowing Club held its second intensive training course with Olympic medal winning rower and World Champion sculler, Allan Whitwell, passing on his valuable knowledge to two groups of eager young scullers.
The second course was particularly memorable because Weybridge RC’s blind young rower Callum Russell finally achieved his dream to make it into a single scull. He kept up with his friends during a timed piece on the Thames finishing with a time less than a minute behind the fastest scullers on the course. The pride evident on Callum’s face was all the reward volunteer coaches need to make it all worthwhile!
Callum will be rowing 26 miles down the Thames with his friend James Coxhead from Weybridge Rowing Club on Saturday 18th April in aid of Guide Dogs for the Blind. This is part of an event which sees Callum’s Head of Sixth Form running the London Marathon, Callum completing his row, followed by a 52 mile tandem ride with Mr Carter and Callum. More information about the Callum Carter Challenge can be found on their JustGiving page.
Weybridge members are full of admiration for Callum, who not only rows exceptionally well, but is a past winner of the British Indoor Rowing Championship, a top orchestral timpanist and speaks four languages.
Report from Clive Capel
Weybridge Rowing Club
