Adaptive Event - Poplar Regatta

For the 6th consecutive year, Poplar Regatta is hosting invitation adaptive rowing events. FISA (Fédération Internationale des Sociétés d’Aviron) have recognised the value of seeing athletes with a disability competing within a mainstream regatta, and acknowledge the support that Poplar RC has given over the last few years. Poplar Regatta is listed on the FISA international events calendar for adaptive rowing.

This year Poplar Regatta is the same weekend as the FISA World Cup in Munich, which is the last opportunity that national federations have to qualify boats for the Paralympic Game in Beijing. We will see Paralympic qualified boats competing in Poplar Regatta including the following:

AW1x with Martyna Snopek (POL), last years bronze medallist from the World Rowing Championships and Helene Raynsford (GBR) 2006 World Champion.

AM1x with Tom Aggar (GBR), reigning world champion and Patrick Laureau (FRA). These athletes will use this event as a performance indicator prior to going to Beijing.

Mix TA2x with Karen Cromie and James Roberts (GBR) racing last years silver medallist from Poland

We will also have a Special Race for Schools to include children with a learning disability. London Youth Rowing has been given "Special Olympics" status as a pilot to work towards accreditation for rowing at national and international level. Poplar Regatta with be holding a “Unified Sculling Event”, which enables able bodied athletes to be in the same team as athletes with learning disabilities.

The adaptive rowing programme at London Regatta Centre in collaboration with ‘Headway’ (The National Brain Injury Foundation) have been providing rowing sessions over the last 9 months to individuals with acquired or traumatic brain injury.

We know that exercise tolerance levels are lower than the able bodied population, with increased predisposition to cardio-vascular disease. The project enables the participants to work to improve their fitness levels, stamina, co-ordination and skills. This in turn helps build self-esteem and confidence, providing them with the opportunity to take part in ‘real-life’ activities, and present them with the opportunity for a fun and challenging activity – all very important steps in rehabilitation and reintegration into the community.

Poplar Regatta will have a 4+ event for Headway groups to show the outstanding progress these individuals have achieved in a relatively short time frame.