Multi Countries Project for the Increase of Awareness, Knowledge and Practice of Pararowing
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Multi countries project for the increase of awareness, knowledge and practice of pararowing PARAROWING PARTY 572869-EPP-1-2016-1-IT-SPO-SNCESE The European Commission support for the production of this publication does not constitute an endorsement of the contents which reflects the views only of the authors, and the Commission cannot be held responsible for any use which may be made of the information contained therein. The day of the “Para-rowing party” – 2 October 2016 -, in a similar way to a rave party, people, concurrently in Italy, France, UK met and had the opportunity to know para-rowing from a theoretical and practical point of view. Disabled people have been welcomed and different stands have been organised: the disabled people had the opportunity to meet athletes, trainers, doctors, physiotherapists, psychologists and clarify all their curiosities and doubts about para-rowing. Gadgets and promotional materials have been distributed. Those who were interested received a first theoretical lesson during which basic aspect of rowing and boats and oars characteristics will be explained. After the theoretical part, a demonstration on rowing machines (ergometers), tests and boat trips have been organized. This has been done by non-disabled people together with disabled people in order to develop an inclusive setting. During the tests on the boat, participants concretely experienced some of the values that rowing expresses: team building, rowing together in the same direction to achieve the same goal, feeling part of a crew, train the body to get in contact with the nature and feel at one with it. At the end of their experience, participants received a kit with gadgets, informative materials. During the “Para-rowing party”, para-rowers athletes performed a demo race to allow the participants to appreciate also the competitive aspects of para-rowing. At the “Para-rowing party”, athletes of the National Paralympic Team, coming back from Rio Paralympic Games have been present to talk about their experience and how rowing has changed their lives, giving them one more reason and motivation, filling their days with workouts aiming at a target, improving their condition of physical and mental health through increased opportunities for socialization. Besides, conference/seminars open to the public have been organised to discuss topics as “Sport and Health" and "Sport and Social inclusion” PARAROWING parties were organised on October 2nd, 2016 in the 3 participating countries. The 3 Federations selected the most suitable venues and organised different activities during the day. In particular: ITALIAN PARTY Italian Federation organised its party at Idroscalo in Milan. During the morning session of the party, pararowing coaches and experts gave to people interested a first theoretical lesson during which basic aspect of rowing and boats and oars characteristics have been explained. After that, the Para-rowing classification system have been introduced, so that each disable could focus on his/her possible classification on a rowing boat. After the theoretical part, a demonstration on rowing machines (ergometers), tests and boat trips have been organized. In parallel with the tests on rowing machines, participants in the party have experienced also tests on boats and have participated in a Viking boat race on the 250 meters distance to allow them to appreciate the competitive aspects of pararowing. Tests and boat races were needed to make participants feel the contact with water through the oars and to develop a sense of balance. Viking boats have been selected for their shape and size, with 14 rowers, to ensure greater stability and safety, and to allow races carried out by disabled people and not to develop an inclusive environment. During the races, participants have experienced some of the core values of rowing: team spirit, rowing together in the same direction to achieve the same goal, feel part of a crew, train the body to get in touch with nature and feel part of it. Then, the Italian national team members Eleonora De Paolis (CC Napoli), Florinda Trombetta (SC Milan), Fabrizio Caselli (SC Florence) and Mr. Giuseppe "Peppiniello" Di Capua (CN Stabia) made a demonstration on the water and they also did a remoergometer demo. In the afternoon, FIC organised a conference open to the public divided in two panels titled “Everything you wanted to know about pararowing but you never dares to ask”. The first part of the conference was more “informative” while the second part was more “technical”. o First panel: the session opened with a video from Beijing-London-Rio Paralympic Games and with the introduction of Mr. Peppiniello di Capua, gold medal in coxed pairs as cox, with Giuseppe Abbagnale and Carmine Abbagnale, at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles and again at the 2 1988 Summer Olympics in Seoul. He has been cox at the Rio Paralympic Games. So, he discussed with the audience his experience with disabled and not disabled athletes confirming that sport is for all and that there are no differences between able and disabled athletes: efforts, emotions, hopes and dreams of victory are the same. This panel saw an active participation of testimonials from Rio Paralympic games (Eleonora De Paolis, Florinda Trombetta, Fabrizio Caselli) who discussed with the audience the benefits (physical and psychological) of pararowing and how pararowing changes their lives. Ms. De Paolis, who approached pararowing after having tried other sports, defined it “a real challenge” considering it is a very technical and tiring sport. But it means also “freedom” to break architectural barriers getting on a boat and go anywhere. Then, interventions were dedicated to discuss about the benefits of physical activity for disabled people, if there doing sports is risky for disabled, social inclusion of disabled people through sports and finally, the President of the Italian Federation discussed the role of the Federation in enhancing an active inclusion of disabled in sports and the relations with Institutions – as the local offices of the Paralympic Committee (at the presence of the President of the Paralympic Committee of Lombardia, Mr. Pierangelo Santelli). All the medical aspects and contents of this panel have been looked by Dr. Federico Egidi, medical staff of the FIC. o Second panel: this part of the conference was aimed at discussing more technical aspects of pararowing with coaches/trainers in order to give them information and tools about how to involve disabled in pararowing. All the technical aspects of this panel have been looked by Ms. Dario Naccari, Chief of the Adaptive Sector. The different moments of the party showed well the benefits of rowing, and of sport in general, and explored the disability in sports communicating that rowing can set people free letting the chair go and with the boat sailing in the nature. Photos of the party: http://pararowingparty.eu/it/ BRITISH PARTY Para-Rowing Party: Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre, Liverpool On Sunday 2nd October British Rowing in conjunction with Crosby Lakeside Adventure Centre and Runcorn Rowing Club ran a Para-Rowing party both to celebrate the success of rowing in the Paralympics and create awareness in the region about what disability rowing opportunities are available in both the local region and nationally. The participants disabled and abled bodied participants take part in a programme including, information sessions, indoor and water rowing taster sessions supported by qualified coaches and instructors. With participants coming from across the region, including Lancashire, Merseyside, Cheshire, Manchester and the West Midlands to try the sport. Also attending were two Paralympians; Badminton player Rach Choong and former rower James Roberts who both spoke to the event participants about how they got into their sports and achieved what they have done showing everyone that there are opportunities for sporting participation for all regardless of impairment or disability. Positive response was received from participants: Dr Emma Morley said “I had a phenomenal day yesterday. Thanks so much to you, Susan and James for your efforts”; Helen Gillan commented, “We all had a fantastic day and felt it ran pretty well for a first time in Crosby” whilst Runcorn rowing club coach, Faye Stewart said “I think you did a great job and gave adaptive rowing a real boost in the northwest that day.” Since the event a number of participants are already engaging with local rowing clubs to explore options for further rowing to access the sport on a regular basis with queries about delivering rowing courses and basing equipment in the area for spinal unit patients too. Requests have already been received to run similar events in the area again The event was successful in raising the profile of the sport in the North West region, which for British Rowing has historically been a weak area in its disability rowing programme. Para-Rowing Party: National Watersports Centre, Nottingham. The sun was shining over the National Watersports Centre ready for the International Para-Rowing Party. British Rowing have been working alongside the National Watersports Centre, Nottingham to provide one 3 of three post-Paralympic celebration events. The morning comprised of taster sessions of on water rowing, there were a variety of boats on the water adapted for all disabilities such as a Trinity 500 which accommodated those with a weakness on one side of the body, a fixed seat double that was used for those with arms and shoulder or trunk and arm function and finally a recreational single with floats that accommodated those with Leg, trunk and arm function who could apply the same amount of pressure through each side. The Federation trainers then coached the participants through the correct technique on the Indoor rowing machine and the participants took part in a 1 minute race and the final activity for the morning was bell boating these boats are an open canoe that can carry up to 12 people so were great for this event.