As of April 2013 the British Rowing project in Devon has come to an end although activity still continues across the county as a result of its lasting impact.
There is still the opportunity for bespoke adaptive rowing sessions both on and off the water. Please contact rowabilitysw@gmail.com to find out more.
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South West Rowability came about as an extension of the Devon Adaptive Rowing Project (see below) and expanded the scope of the work outside of schools, to include adults and community groups.
Rowing is one of Britain’s most successful Olympic sports. It is the only GB sport to have won gold at every Games since 1984 and boasts one of Britain’s greatest Olympians, Sir Steve Redgrave who won five Olympic gold medals.
Its not all about winning Olympic medals though, rowing is an activity for everyone and British Rowing has its sights set on getting more people rowing for enjoyment, indoors and on the water. South West Rowability is looking to bring rowing to the people, initially through interaction with disability groups in the community.
Three years ago British Rowing set up a project in Devon, to give young people with a disability the opportunity to experience the sport of rowing and a pathway to club rowing and beyond. The opportunities ranged from learning the basics on an indoor rowing machine in their school, to sessions on the water at a local centre. The project has helped those involved to develop their self-esteem, confidence, social skills and of course their fitness.
From April 2012 the Devon Adaptive Rowing Project has evolved into South West Rowability. An expansion of the initial project that is now looking to proactively include adults with a disability as well as disability community groups.
The aims of South West Rowability are closely aligned to those of the Devon Adaptive Rowing Project; to give those involved the opportunity to participate and compete in a sport that they would not otherwise have access to.
We are able to offer taster sessions both on indoor rowing machines and in boats on the water. We can even bring the rowing machines to you for any indoor sessions.
We have tried to secure funding for most aspects of our work so in many cases there is no cost for the sessions apart from the use of the boats for the on water sessions.
As well as these taster sessions we can also offer a complete Learn to Row course arranged over 6 sessions. This will include indoor rowing and on water rowing.
Previously - Devon Adaptive Rowing Project Overview
Background
Indoor Rowing has been included in the Devon Special School Games since 2004 (now DAGTI). The event in 2007 was particularly successful, with over 100 competitors taking part. Most of those competitors turn up on the day having had no introduction to using the Indoor Rowing machine. There was an interest expressed by a number of schools involved in the games in terms of extending the opportunities to access Indoor Rowing, so that pupils can have the opportunity to learn to row prior to taking part in the DAGTI, and for further opportunities for pupils to have access to rowing on the water via accredited clubs.
Where Indoor Rowing has taken place as part of a regular programme, there is evidence that it has a very positive impact on the schools and pupils involved. Mike Jelly, Headteacher at Longcause Community Special School in Plymouth, said: ‘The value of this type of work is immeasurable. The growth in our pupils’ physical skills, endurance, stamina, teamwork, social skills, and experience of the community are very clear. This is inclusion in its truest sense.’
Aims
The primary aims of this project are as follows;Background
Indoor Rowing has been included in the Devon Special School Games since 2004 (now DAGTI). The event in 2007 was particularly successful, with over 100 competitors taking part. Most of those competitors turn up on the day having had no introduction to using the Indoor Rowing machine. There was an interest expressed by a number of schools involved in the games in terms of extending the opportunities to access Indoor Rowing, so that pupils can have the opportunity to learn to row prior to taking part in the DAGTI, and for further opportunities for pupils to have access to rowing on the water via accredited clubs.
Where Indoor Rowing has taken place as part of a regular programme, there is evidence that it has a very positive impact on the schools and pupils involved. Mike Jelly, Headteacher at Longcause Community Special School in Plymouth, said: ‘The value of this type of work is immeasurable. The growth in our pupils’ physical skills, endurance, stamina, teamwork, social skills, and experience of the community are very clear. This is inclusion in its truest sense.’
Aims
(a) Develop a network of special schools in Devon with access to Indoor Rowing machines, who are able to run a self-sufficient indoor rowing programme.
(b) Develop the regional Indoor Rowing Competition structure to cater for pupils from special schools, and pupils with disabilities working within mainstream education.
(c) Create a series of regional network of accredited school-club links, which provide opportunities for disabled pupils to participate in rowing on the water.
(d) Develop a pathway for identifying and signposting talented pupils to the ARA’s high performance adaptive programme.
