May 17, 2010 News British Rowing NewsBritish Rowing EventsRowing CommunityGB Rowing TeamCompetitions and ClubsIndoor RowingPartners#YourStoriesArchive Redgrave Backs Rowing For All Scheme Rowing Community The UK’s most successful Olympic sport – rowing – has now become accessible to everyone under a new scheme backed by our greatest Olympian, Sir Steve Redgrave CBE. Launching Explore Rowing at Henley on Monday, Sir Steve said, “Explore Rowing is a really innovative programme – it challenges preconceptions and most importantly reminds us what a wonderful, fun, healthy and accessible sport rowing really is.” Di Ellis CBE, Chairman of British Rowing was equally delighted, “The new boats are stable, easy to row, and give everyone the feeling of freedom and achievement that I’ve enjoyed throughout my life in rowing.”ADVERT The initiative is an adaptation of the successful Project Oarsome programme, launched in 2000, which provided a significant increase in junior participation. Rosemary Napp, National Manager of British Rowing, said, “Project Oarsome had a massive impact, extending the reach of the sport into 40% of state schools throughout the country. We hope that Explore Rowing can do the same for those over-16 opening up the sport to a wider range of participants.” The Explore Rowing programme is supported by substantial investment from Sport England. Jennie Price, Chief Executive of Sport England, said: “It’s great to see rowing rising to the challenge of getting more adults out on the water, from older people who feared their rowing days were behind them to those who’ve never before considered getting into a boat. With the Olympic and Paralympic Games round the corner, there’s never been a better time to take this sport to a wider audience.” The programme will facilitate rowing activity outside of traditional rowing competition and will provide a structured entry route into the sport through a new national learn to row scheme. The Explore Assistant training will help people volunteer at an earlier stage of their rowing ‘career’ and has been awarded the Inspire mark by London 2012. Fifty stable boat packages will help kick-start Explore Rowing around the country providing boats that are not only better suited to beginners but also ideal for many rowing activities such as touring or personal challenges. Rich Stock, Explore Rowing Programme Manager, described the reaction from clubs as extremely positive. “We have had huge numbers of expressions of interest from all around the country. Clubs, who have already received boats, have reported a great reception from both newcomers and existing members. We’re delighted that clubs have bought into the ethos of the programme so readily.” The whole programme is supported by a new website, www.explorerowing.org, where participants can share routes, personal challenges and connect with other rowers throughout the country. Real Life Stories We have already implemented the programme in the first six clubs and a positive impact has already been seen in these clubs. Here are some examples of how Explore Rowing has been implemented in some clubs so far. Lea Rowing Club Les Fitton turned 82 today at the launch of Explore Rowing and has been given a new lease of life by the programme. In recent years Les had resigned himself to giving up rowing as he no longer felt able to row in a classic racing shell. Since the arrival of the new Explore Rowing boats at the Lea Rowing Club, Les has been able to continue his participation. The design of the new boats, slightly wider with a flatter bottom and increased stability, has given Les the confidence to get back on the water and keep going with the sport he loves. Les is delighted with the new boats. “I thought my days of getting on the water were long gone but the new Explore Rowing boats have given me the opportunity to enjoy my sport again. I love that feeling of just getting out on the water and it leaves me feeling healthy.” Durham Amateur Rowing Club Durham ARC is collaborating with the NHS and has received funding as part of the Changing the Physical Activity Landscape initiative (CPAL) to support a new Explore Rowing project. The club is working with a group of 40-74 year olds who are at high risk from cardio-vascular disease. They have been invited to take part in Durham ARC’s Learn to Row programme in effort to reduce this risk. So far 21 people identified by CPAL have come down to the club. In their first session 16 felt able to take to the water and have a go at rowing in the new Explore Rowing boats. They were all really enthused and will be coming back for more. The programme is being supported by 10 volunteers. Bill Pollard, Durham ARC’s Explore Co-ordinator, says “Explore Rowing will help us continue the work started by Project Oarsome in widening our community access. The Explore Rowing boats will help us market the club to a different type of participant and give them the confidence to get out on the water”. Newark Rowing Club Club captain Felicity Bound says that retaining members and volunteers is crucial at Newark Rowing Club – and Explore Rowing may be the solution. Many of their newer rowers don’t have time to train more than once a week. The Newark committee plan to use their new Explore Rowing boats to offer less serious rowers a regional league of inter-club regattas. “Explore Rowing is about people just pitching up at a club and taking a boat out,” Felicity explains. “So there’s no need to trailer boats around. We plan to have a regatta once a month so five or six over a season at different clubs.” ADVERT