Adaptive Program

ADULT PROGRAM

Adaptive Program

What is Adaptive Rowing?
Adaptive rowing offers the fun, health benefits, teamwork and challenge provided by rowing to athletes with disabilities. Adaptive rowing can be pursued recreationally or competitively.

There are three classes of Adaptive rowers recognized by FISA, the international sports body:

LTA – Legs, Trunk, Arms
Rower has use of at least one leg, trunk muscles, and arms. Visually impaired and intellectually disabled competitors and competitors with CP who are in ambulant classes would be in this class.

TA – Trunk and Arms
Rower has use of of trunk muscles.
Bilateral above-knee amputees, spinal cord complete injury of levels L1-L4 and CP diplegic rowers are in this class.

A – Arms only
Rower has limited trunk control. Complete spinal cord lesions of T10-11 or above, most CP4 and all CP3 rowers are in this class.

SRA's adaptive program is available to participants in all of these classes. We have offered adaptive rowing programs since 1999.

How do I Participate?
For more information or to sign up, please contact:
Dale Doornek
Adaptive Coordinator
425-327-9612
ddoornek@verizon.net

Why Row?
Sammamish Rowing Association’s primary objective to bring the sport of rowing to everyone in the community, no matter what restrictions. Rowing is a good sport for people who: desire independence, want to improve their endurance, like water, and are not afraid to leave their wheelchair or crutches behind.

Rowing is a sport of mind and body. It is a sport that requires as much concentration as it does physical motion. It is a smooth, non-jarring exercise that makes use of all available muscle groups. For this reason, rowing is a great compliment to any form of mobilization, such as walking, wheelchair, or crutches.

Prerequisites and Procedures
A life jacket float test is required. A physician's release is required when requested.

After safety instruction, and some on-land training, rowers take to the water with the assistance of Sammamish Rowing Association coaches and volunteers. Shortly into the class, rowers find themselves easily entering and exiting the shells, rowing efficiently, and rowing long distances.

Equipment
The shells used by Sammamish Adaptive Rowing Association are wherries. They are more stable than a typical rowing shell and offer additional stability with the use of flotation devices.

The sliding seat can be replaced with a fixed seat that has a backrest, providing support and balance. The seat can also be immobilized if a rower is unable to use his or her legs. Pontoons can be connected to the boat's riggers for safety, security, and balance.

Gloves can be used by rowers that do not have the ability to grasp oars. A chest strap can be used by arms-only rowers to aid in balance.

Depending upon a rower’s muscular development, he or she will either scull by themselves or row a double or pair with another rower.

All rowers will wear a PFD when on the water.