Rowability launched by British Rowing at Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre
More than 130 people with a disability, along with their families and carers, had fun trying out rowing in Hillingdon on Sunday 8th June.
With new equipment from a successful funding application, Hillingdon Outdoor Activity Centre now offers on-water and land-rowing opportunities for people with a wide range of disabilities. Katherine Morris and Madeline Millichap from British Rowing’s Participation Team were on hand at the weekend to launch this new Rowability project, supported by Sport England’s ‘Get Equipped’ funding.
The centre recently formed a community rowing club when demand from local people encouraged them to apply for Sport England funding to purchase stable boats and indoor rowing machines.
Simon Dickie, British Rowing’s Youth and Community Manager, said “We are grateful to Hillingdon for getting behind Rowability. We’re working closely with the centre and 18 other locatons to ensure we are providing opportunities for disabled people of all ages and ability to try rowing, whether they want to take part on a rowing machine, try out one of our stable boats, or have aspirations to reach the Paralympic podium.”
One delighted participant told Katherine Morris, Rowability Project Officer; “I’ve always been told at the gym that I couldn’t take part in rowing because I have a prosthetic leg, but today the coaches showed me how with a minor adjustment I can enjoy the sport too.”
A further twelve ‘Get Equipped’ Rowability projects are to be launched during the summer months, followed by the return of the hugely successful National Para-Rowing camp and the Invictus Games in September.
Anyone with a disability who is interested in trying rowing can learn more here
