Adaptive Rowing
With the London 2012 Paralympic Games approaching, an exceptionally exciting opportunity has arisen for men and women to join the USA Adaptive Rowing Team. No experience required.
Can you answer YES to the following questions?
• Do you have an impairment?
• Do you have a US Passport (or are you eligible for a US Passport)?
• Are you between 18 and 35 years old?
• Do you have a background in any sport?
• Do you have the desire, commitment and determination to win?
• Are you up for a once in a lifetime opportunity?
If so, USRowing would like you to participate in the Talent OKC Program at the OKC National High Performance Center. The OKCNHPC is located in the Devon Boathouse at the Oklahoma River, a U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Site.
Do you have what it takes?
Adaptive rowing takes strength, determination, focus and patience. Regardless of your rowing experience, if you have the physical and psychological qualities to be an elite adaptive rower, in a short amount of time you could find yourself competing as an international athlete, representing your country. The OKC National High Performance Center has developed the Talent OKC: Paralympic Athlete Identification Program with a mission to select and recruit potential medal winning athletes. Could you have what it takes to represent your country at the next Paralympic Games?
Talent OKC: Where do I sign up?
The Talent OKC: Paralympic Athlete Identification Program consists of three stages: 1) Talent Identification; 2) Talent Confirmation and 3) Talent Development. Each stage of the program allows USRowing to identify those individuals who have exceptional physical and psychological potential to quickly develop into a high performance athlete.
Talent Identification: To apply, simply click on the link below, download and complete the application form and submit it by email to USRowing coach Matt Muffelman at the Oklahoma City National High Performance Center.
Talent Confirmation: If successful at this first stage, you will be contacted by the OKC National High Performance Center inviting you to attend stage 2 of the selection process, Talent Confirmation, at the Devon Boathouse. Successful applicants must be able to attend this stage of the selection program so keep that in mind when filling out the application form. If, however, your application is not successful at this stage, you will be directed to program information for your nearest adaptive rowing center!
Talent Development: A select number of athletes who successfully complete the talent confirmation camp will be invited to train with the ultimate goal of being selected as a member of the USA Paralympic Rowing Team for 2012.
Click HERE to start your Talent OKC journey.
About Adaptive Rowing
Adaptive rowing is a category of racing for individuals with physical and intellectual disabilities. USRowing selects, trains and manages the adaptive rowing teams that represent the U.S. in international competition including the world championships and Paralympics. Adaptive racing is held over 1,000 meters (rather than the standard 2,000 meters). In mixed events, half the crew must be male and other half female (coxswain may be of either gender and may be able-bodied). FISA Categories of Adaptive Rowing LTA – Legs, Trunk, Arms Use of at least one leg, trunk and arms. Also for those with visual and intellectual impairments. Rowed with standard boats and sliding seats.
LTA rowers usually have a minimum disability equal to one of the following:
• Amputee
• Neurological Impairment equivalent to incomplete lesion at S1
• Cerebral Palsy Class 8 (CPISRA)
• Visual Impairment
TA – Trunk and Arms Only use of trunk muscles. Boat has fixed seat.
TA rowers may have a minimum impairment equivalent to at least one of the following:
• Bilateral around knee amputation, or significantly impaired quadriceps.
• Neurological impairment equivalent to a complete lesion at L3 level, or an incomplete lesion at L1.
• Combination of the above such as one leg with around knee amputation and one leg with significant quadriceps impairment.
• Classification by the international sports federation for rowers with cerebral palsy (CPISRA) as eligible to be in CP Class 5.
AS – Arms and shoulders Limited trunk control. Boat has fixed seat and rower is strapped at upper chest level to only allow shoulder and arm movements.
AS rowers may characteristically have a minimum impairment equivalent to at least one of the following:
• Cerebral Palsy Class 4 (CP-ISRA)
• Neurological Impairment with a complete lesion at T12 level, or an incomplete lesion at T10