In this series we will hear about how and why different rowing clubs were inspired to start up their adaptive squads in the hope it inspires you and your club to find out more.

This month we hear from  Marlow Rowing Club:

When Marlow Rowing Club had to re-build its clubhouse after a fire in 2011, it committed to starting an adaptive/para programme, making a major investment to host adaptive rowing. Club member Bruce Lynn (coaching at Sir William Borlase at the time) volunteered to kick things off as squad coach. British Rowing referred athlete Ben Marsden who had contacted them looking for a club that could support impairments from cerebral palsy. For the first several months, the entire programme was Bruce and Ben going out in singles or a double together.

Marlow have now spearheaded a number of initiatives and innovations which club member, Bruce kindly shares on his very informative website. See link here.

Bruce is a member of the British Rowing Adaptive Advisory Board and the Adaptive Rowing Working Group which are working to promote and develop the sport.  Asked why Bruce does it, why he shares his knowledge and expertise of adaptive to other clubs, not just through the website but often spending an hour on the phone to clubs, he said 'Because I love it!' 

It's fantastic to have people like Bruce who are so passionate and give back purely through the love of the sport.

If this inspires you, please check out the British Rowing Adaptive Guide and Bruce's website.