Canada's three adaptive rowing crews recently arrived in Beijing, China, in the lead up to rowing's Paralympic debut - Sept. 9 to 11.
"The team had a very successful training camp at the Elk Lake (Victoria, B.C.) training centre, with all crews honing their technique and race plans," said team leader Allison Sheard. "The athletes are energized for the Games and are looking forward to the start of racing on September 9."
Rowing is the youngest sport in the Paralympic Games. It was introduced to the Paralympic program in 2005 and will hold its first Paralympic competitions at the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. Adaptive Rowing is rowing or sculling for athletes with a disability who meet the criteria as set out in the Adaptive Rowing classification regulations. Races are held over 1000 metres for all four events (Canada is entered in three events).
The events will take place at Shunyi Olympic Rowing-Canoeing Park near Beijing, site of the recent Olympic regatta where Canada won four rowing medals - a gold, silver and two bronze.
Paralympic Rowing Team List:
LTA4+ (Legs, trunk and arms coxed four)
Megan Montgomery, Victoria City Rowing Club/Winnipeg Rowing Club (Winnipeg, MB)
Victoria Nolan, Argonaut Rowing Club (Toronto, ON)
Scott Rand, Calgary Rowing Club (Calgary, AB)
Tony Theriault, Victoria City Rowing Club/Nanaimo RC (Nanaimo, BC)
Laura Comeau (coxswain), Ridley Graduate Boat Club (St. Catharines, ON)
TA2x (trunk and arms double scull)
Wilfredo (Papito) Moré Wilson, Argonaut Rowing Club (Toronto, ON)
Caitlin Renneson, Ottawa Rowing Club (Ottawa, ON)
AM1x (men's single, arms only)
Steve Daniel, Sudbury Rowing Club (Sudbury, ON)
Staff:
Allison Sheard, Team Leader
Anne-Renee Thibault, Coach
Shannon Harvey, Coach
Andrew (Smitty) Smith, Equipment Manager
Rebecca Thomas, Coach (not in attendance)