Adaptive rowing is sweep rowing or sculling for people with physical or intellectual disabilities or limitations including but not limited to, paraplegia, quadriplegia, amputation, visual impairment, Down Syndrome, cerebral palsy, multiple sclerosis, and spina bifida. Rowing equipment is adapted to meet the individual needs of each rower. Recreational and competitive adaptive rowing opportunities exist within Manitoba and Canada.

Adaptive Rowing Classifications

Legs, Trunk and Arms (LTA)

Rowers with a disability who have the use of their leg(s), trunk and arm(s) and who can utilize the sliding seat to propel the boat. Example: Single leg amputee, upper extremity amputee, visually impaired, intellectual impairment.

Trunk and Arms (TA)

Rowers with a disability who have trunk movement but who are unable to use the sliding seat to propel the boat due to significantly weakened function of the lower limbs. Rowers within the TA classification utilize body swing (swing of the trunk with pelvis) and arm pull to propel the boat. Example: Double lower extremity amputee, cerebral palsy.

Arms and Shoulders (AS)

Rowers with a disability who have no or minimal trunk function (i.e. shoulder function and upper trunk). Rowers within the AS classification will apply force predominantly by using the arms and shoulders. Example: Spinal cord injury, spina bifida.

Competition and Racing

Competitive adaptive rowing is open to both men and women and is divided into four boat classes. Races are 1000 meters in length.

Legs, trunk and arms mixed coxed four (LTAMix4+) Mixed gender crew. Male or female coxswain with or without adaptive rowing classification. Sliding seat.

Trunk and arms mixed double (TAMix2x) Mixed gender crew. Fixed seat.

Arms and shoulders women's single (ASW1x) Women only. Fixed seat with stabilizing pontoons.

Arms and shoulders men's single (ASM1x) Men only. Fixed seat with stabilizing pontoons.

For more information on adaptive rowing visit the Rowing Canada Aviron and World Rowing websites:

• RCA Adaptive Rowing Program
• RCA National Adaptive Rowing Team
• FISA Paralympic/Adaptive

The Manitoba Rowing Association - Adaptive Rowing Program

The Manitoba Rowing Association (MRA) in partnership with the Winnipeg Rowing Club (WRC) and with support from Prairie Fire Rowing Club (PFRC) have launched the first of three phases in their adaptive rowing program. The adaptive rowing program based out of the WRC will involve multiple partners with the intention to develop, retain and integrate athletes/participants with a disability into ongoing WRC programs.

With the help of Sport Manitoba, Rowing Canada Aviron, Coaching Manitoba, PFRC and the WRC, the MRA is working towards completing three major outcomes during its first year; equipment purchases to support recreational and competitive rowing, training and development of coaches focused on adaptive rowing, and the development of new adaptive rowing programming focused on the recruitment and retention of new rowers.

Adaptive Rowing Programs in Manitoba

'Have a Go'

The 'Have a Go' adaptive rowing program is an introductory rowing session focused on teaching individuals with a disability the basics of the rowing stroke in a fun, safe and supportive environment. Sessions are led by qualified coaches with 1-4 participants and run throughout the summer and fall.

For information on session dates and registration please contact the MRA at 204-925-5653 or via email at rowing@sportmanitoba.ca subject line "Have a Go". Manitoba Blind Sports Association Adaptive Rowing Program

The Manitoba Blind Sports Association (MBSA) adaptive rowing program is an eight week rowing program for members of the MBSA. Rowers have the opportunity to develop their technique in both sweep rowing and sculling during weekly training sessions led by qualified coaches. The program runs throughout July and August.

For information on how to start an adaptive rowing program within your organization, please contact the MRA at 204-925-5653 or via email at rowing@sportmanitoba.ca.

For information on becoming a member of MBSA please contact MBSA at 204-925-5703 or via email at blindsport@shawbiz.ca.

Club (Ongoing) Recreational or Competitive Rowing Programs

For information on year round and seasonal recreational and competitive rowing programs visit the Winnipeg Rowing Club website www.winnipegrowingclub.ca.

Adaptive Rowing History in Manitoba

In 2005, the Winnipeg Rowing Club (WRC) began a small adaptive rowing program with one LTA athlete and one adaptive rowing coach. That same summer they attended a National training camp in London, Ontario. In 2006, the WRC and MRA offered coaching and ongoing programming to athletes with a visual impairment in partnership with the Manitoba Blind Sports Association. Since 2006, the Manitoba Blind Sports Association and WRC with support from MRA have offered a small ongoing program for 3-10 participants.

Adaptive Rowing High Performance History

2005:

• • WRC LTA athlete and coach attended Rowing Canada Aviron (RCA) Training Camp in London, ON.

2006:

• WRC LTA athlete and coach attended multiple RCA National Adaptive Rowing Team (NART) training camps in preparation for the 2006 World Championships.
• RCA NART LTA Bronze medal at the World Championships in Eton, England. WRC LTA athlete: Meghan Montgomery. WRC Coach: Karen Styrchak.

2007:

• RCA NART Bronze World Championships. WRC LTA athlete: Meghan Montgomery.
• WRC LTA male athlete in training for NART selection trials.

2008:

• WRC LTA athlete Meghan Montgomery participated in the Beijing Paralympic Games.

2009:

• • RCA NART LTA Bronze medal at the World Championships. WRC LTA athletes Meghan Montgomery and Stu Starkey.