What is Adaptive Rowing

Adaptive Rowing provides athletes with a physical or intellectual impairment the opportunity to be active on the water, get involved in a fun and friendly club environment, and participate in a variety of competitions.

Whether you are interested in social rowing, personal fitness, or taking this to the Paralympic Games, the UBC Boathouse has a program for you.

Adaptive rowing is suitable for a wide range of disabilities, including (but limited to) paraplegia, autism, visual impairment, blindness, cerebral palsy, amputee, spina bifida, downs syndrome, and hearing impairment.

The adaptive rowing program takes place from the state-of-the-art, fully accessible UBC Boathouse in Richmond. The equipment used is essentially the same as for able-bodied rowers, with adaptations made to the equipment as required.

Adaptive rowing classifications

• AS (arms and shoulders)
  ASrowers usually have no or minimal trunk function and apply force predominantly using the arms and/or shoulders. ASrowers use pontoons fixed to the riggers to aid stability. The fixed seat will have a backrest to provide support and to allow the rower to be strapped into the boat.
  
  
• TA (trunk and arms)
  TArowers have trunk movement but are unable to use the sliding seat because of significantly weakened function of the lower limbs. TArowers can use stabilizing pontoons to row if they prefer. A backrest on the fixed seat is optional.
  
  
• LTA (legs, trunk and arms)
  LTArowers are able to use the sliding seat as well as their trunk and arms.

Athletes with a vision impairment and/or an intellectual impairment will usually be classified as LTArowers. Most LTArowers will row in conventional rowing boats that do not need any modifications.

Why should I row

The ergonomics of rowing, in which the human body is guided through correct and symmetrical movement patterns by the equipment involved, oars and shell, can allow individuals to maintain a high level of muscular and cardiovascular output. This is particularly relevant where issues of coordination or spasticity may prevent an adequate level of exertion being achieved in many other sporting activities. Rowing is a unique activity in its ability to be adapted to a wide range of disability degrees and types and allow both muscular strengthening and improved cardiovascular fitness.

How do I start?

Contact Merryl for more information.

Typically you would arrange an initial meeting, so that you can find out more, and we can assess your requirements. As in all rowing programs, places are limited by the size of our fleet.

2012 Adaptive Rowing Schedule

There are currently no Adaptive Rowing Courses offered at this time.