Accessible Rowing Race Reports from Peterborough and Maidenhead Regattas

Peterborough - Row the Rhythm event

First up is to share the incredible success of the "Row the Rhythm" event, held on Friday, July 25th at Peterborough City Rowing Club. This special day, hosted by Kate Lindgren and Pete Forrest, brought together VI (visually impaired) rowers from across the country for a celebration of inclusive rowing.

The goal was to get everyone out on the water in a variety of boats – singles, doubles, quads, and even an eight – and to foster a strong sense of community. Our thanks go to Peterborough City Rowing Club for providing their boats and facilities, and to Love Rowing for their support in making this event possible. Our 5 FRBC VI participants were Dilara, Romain, Fabio, Ashley and Mo, who made the journey to Peterborough to take part.  

We received this reflection from Fabio:

National VI Rowing Event – My Reflections

The National VI Rowing Event in Peterborough on 25th July was an absolute highlight for me this year. From the moment we arrived, there was a sense of community and shared enthusiasm that you just can’t fake. Everyone was there for the same reason – to enjoy being on the water together and celebrate what blind and visually impaired rowers can achieve.

I loved the mix of people. Some were new to rowing, others had been at it for years, but the energy was the same – open, friendly, and encouraging. Getting out on the water with new crewmates from across the country was a real treat. There’s something special about adapting together, finding our rhythm, and feeling the boat move as one.

The organisers and volunteers were outstanding – from guiding us around the site to making sure the equipment was set up just right. It made the whole day run smoothly and left us free to focus on rowing, laughing, and connecting.

The weather was kind to us too – enough sunshine to make it feel summery, without turning us into puddles of sweat! Lunch by the lake with friends old and new was the perfect pause before heading back out again.

I came away feeling proud – not just of Fulham Boat Club, but of our whole VI rowing community. It reminded me why I fell in love with the sport in the first place. I’m looking forward to next year’s events already.

A huge thank you to everyone involved in making this such a memorable day.

Maidenhead Regatta

The Maidenhead Regatta was on Saturday 9th of August featured Adaptive rowing, and it was a lovely event bringing the community together for a day of racing on the River Thames. A celebration of hard work, skill, and sportsmanship, where rowers of all ages and abilities take to the water to compete.

Denise says - In the morning Becky raced Georgia Carmichael, a very experienced para-rower, with this being only her second time in a 1x.  Becky showed some great tenacity and despite the loss looks forward to racing in this boat class in the future. We had a successful afternoon in the double against Stratford Upon Avon, grabbing a win following a very tight race. A great first day of adaptive racing for both of us and a huge thank you to both Marlow and Maidenhead for lending us the equipment needed to be able to race!

Becky says - I would like to say a really big thank you to all the volunteers at Fulham Reach who have helped to get me out on the water and to Denise for all her continued hard work and patience. Winning at the weekend in the boat with Denise meant so much as its the first thing I have been able to do in sport since surviving sepsis and since having a further spinal injury last year. The win has made so many other people really happy too including my physio and GP who got me into rowing pulleys during rehabilitation and the win has helped to encourage many other people in their post sepsis recovery journeys too. 

I had always wanted to try rowing having lived at both ends of the boat race course but never got the opportunity before. Being able to row at Fulham Reach has helped to rebuild my life in such a wonderful environment and on the best stretch of the river which was great preparation for Maidenhead. I had a great day at Maidenhead and it was great to get experience of a regatta and in some nice weather too. Everyone was super helpful and welcoming. A big thank you to Marlow and Maidenhead for loaning the boats and equipment to enable us to race.