Para Rowing

About Para-Rowing

Para-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 from club regattas through state and national championships to world championships and Paralympic games.

The sport can cater for athletes with a variety of impairments. Please refer to the Rowing Australia Classification page for general information about classification and the three sport classes.

Para-Rowing is integrated into the main rowing program in Australia and Internationally. It was introduced as a Paralympic sport at the 2008 Beijing Paralympics and therefore provides athletes with the opportunity to achieve at the highest level.

In conjunction with the APC and State Sporting Organisations, Rowing Australia is actively identifying talent in each state.

The basic techniques of para rowing are the same as rowing for the able-bodies. Participants learn the elements of the stroke: drive, recovery, catch angle, oar handling, etc. The general learning curve is comparable to any novice rower and the participants experience the same thrill at discovering the sport.

Dragons Para-Rowing Program

Dragons Rowing Club members have been instrumental in developing Para Rowing in Queensland. Our Para Rowing Season begins in early September and finishes at the National Championships in March the following year. We link with Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Association and Rowing Queensland to support the program.

In 2015, Dragons Rowing Club was honoured with an Australia Day Sports Award from the Brisbane City Council for their work with rowers with a disability.

The Para Rowing Program is successful because of the members who volunteer their time and support in coaching and supervision of the rowers. We also welcome volunteers external to the club to assist with the Para Rowing Program.  If you are able bodied and enjoy being on the water, have an interest in rowing or coaching, or simply would like to give back to your community, please let us know.  We are always seeking volunteers to assist with Para training on Tuesday and Thursday mornings from 7am and on Saturday mornings from 7.30am.

A Dragons Para-Rowing Success Story

Adaptive rower Erik joined Dragons Rowing Club in 2010.  Through Dragons dedication and support, coupled with Erik's determination, commitment, and energy, Erik finished fourth in the men's Para Single Final at the Rowing World Cup, Germany, in 2011.  Erik is now competing for a place on the Para-Olympic Rowing Team for 2012.

Sponsors

We would like to acknowledge the support of:

  • Ted Hale Rowing
  • Gaming Community Benefit Fund
  • Brisbane City Council
  • Rowing Queensland Inc
  • Rowing Australia
  • Disability Services Queensland
  • The Sporting Wheelies and Disabled Sport and Recreation Association of Queensland Inc
  • Brisbane State High School, St Margaret’s Anglican Girls’ School, Stuartholme College, Everton Park State High School and Aspley Special School

 

To find out more about our Para Program, becoming a volunteer, or being a sponsor, please contact our Para Rowing Coordinator at dragonssecretary@gmail.com.

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