New Adaptive Oars Open the Waters for Rowers with Limited Mobility

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Background

Pengwern Boat Club in Shrewsbury, Shropshire, has been offering adaptive rowing opportunities for the past decade. This volunteer-led club is dedicated to ensuring that anyone, regardless of physical ability, sensory impairment, or learning challenges, can experience the joy and freedom of rowing. The club has been particularly active in supporting individuals with mobility limitations, partnering with the Spinal Injuries Unit at the Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital in Oswestry. Over the years, the adaptive rowing programme has helped wheelchair users, veterans, and individuals with conditions such as Multiple Sclerosis and Dementia.

How Energize Got Involved

In 2022, Sport England’s Commonwealth Games Fund provided funding for the purchase of two pairs of adaptive oars. These oars are specially designed to accommodate rowers with limited mobility, allowing them to participate in rowing alongside a volunteer. Energize STW has been instrumental in supporting this initiative by assisting the club in expanding its reach and enabling more people with disabilities to take part in the sport.

What Happened

Thanks to the new adaptive oars, Pengwern Boat Club can now accommodate up to 10 additional rowers each week. The oars are used in a double sculling boat, which pairs a person with limited mobility with a volunteer. This expansion allows rowers who previously participated in single sculling to now row with assistance, fostering more inclusion and providing greater opportunities for people to enjoy the sport. The adaptive rowing sessions are held on Tuesday and Saturday mornings, supported by 10 dedicated volunteer coaches and launch drivers.

Rebecca, a wheelchair user who regularly participates in the programme, described her experience:

- “To be this close to nature is thrilling and something I have longed for during the 20 years I’ve been in a wheelchair. To be able to do so using only muscle power and the cooperation of the boat is exhilarating.”

- “There is so much about rowing I enjoy, from the thrill of anticipation when being pushed away from the pontoon to the sense of freedom and independence it brings.”

The Impact

The addition of the new adaptive oars has had a significant impact on Pengwern Boat Club’s ability to offer inclusive rowing opportunities. The sense of physical achievement, mental well-being, and emotional satisfaction that participants gain is immense. Rowing has not only helped participants stay fit and healthy but has also provided a powerful emotional outlet, improved independence, and fostered new friendships within the community.

Pengwern Boat Club’s adaptive squad has even produced national-level para-athletes in rowing, triathlon, and kayaking. The adaptive programme, bolstered by the new equipment, will continue to grow, allowing more individuals to experience the unique benefits of rowing, regardless of their physical limitations.