Adapting to rowing blind

Gilbert and guide dog Hedda ready to erg
© FISA

Swiss Olympic Champion Xeno Mueller recently hosted a rowing clinic that brought together a group of rowers from all skill levels and motivations to California, United States. Among the group was participant Aerial Gilbert. Her eyes hidden behind dark glasses Gilbert stood out not only as the sole participant to have a dog as her constant companion but also the only participant to have competed at the last three World Championships.

Gilbert knows how to make you squirm. The once sighted nurse from California lost her vision 16 years ago when the use of eye drops changed her life. “I had bought over-the-counter eye drops that had been tampered with,” says Gilbert in a tone that suggests she has told this story many times before. “It destroyed my retina.” Blindness was instant.

“My life came to a halt,” she explains. “Even the simple things like walking through the house were difficult. Everything became an obstacle for me. My life was reduced to listening to music.”

About six months later Gilbert started to reflect on her future and realised what her life would be like if she did not gain independence. “It had to start with me. I had to change from the inside.”

The turning point came when a friend of Gilbert’s took her rowing. “In hindsight it’s the best thing that happened to me. I realised there was something that I could do.”

She felt like a beginner in so many aspects of her life but in rowing she was able to feel confident. “It was a gift to be able to row. It was one area in life I could be competent at and it has continued to be an anchor in my life. I can compete with other people and it doesn’t matter that I’m blind.” She had rowed in college and continued recreationally after graduation, but rowing grew to be a focus for her.

Gilbert describes rowing as a gift that she would like to share with others. It is the time she is able to forget that she is blind. However, Gilbert readily admits that the boathouse doors are yet to be fully opened for the blind. The first time Gilbert went to the rowing club the owner thought a blind rower would be a liability and Gilbert continues to have to gain the acceptance of other rowers by proving her abilities.

Gilbert mainly rows in a double or quad and regularly races. This year she competed in Boston’s Head of the Charles Regatta in the championship double with United States Olympian and national team member Sarah Jones. It has also been Gilbert’s dream to race in a single and it took four years of persuading the umpires of a local regatta to allow her to race. Needing assistance with the course Gilbert rowed in the outside lane while someone off the course in a sculling boat called out port and starboard moves and how far through the race they were. “Afterwards,” says Gilbert, “the umpires felt more comfortable.”

As a blind rower Gilbert’s learning process has become a new experience. Having been a sighted rower Gilbert can visualise a coach’s explanation and then put it into action. “I have had to learn how to be a beginner,” says Gilbert who says her technique has continued to improve. “My other senses have not changed, what has changed is my ability to interpret the information.”

Gilbert listens to the fan of the rowing machine
© FISA

When Gilbert is on the rowing machine she is able to follow the pace by listening to the fan. In a boat she listens to the crewmate’s slide, she feels the swing and also listens to the oarlock. She relies on the sound of the blades dropping into the water and feels the balance.

Gilbert associates the interaction with her guide dog Hedda as similar to being in a boat. “When I’m rowing I have to learn to trust my teammates and blend with them and when I’m with Hedda I have to trust and blend with her.”

Gilbert has been on the United States adaptive rowing team since it became part of the World Championship programme in 2002 and in that time she has seen an acceleration in the level of competition. In the first year her coxed four medaled with bronze. A year later they finished just outside the medals in fourth and this year they slipped to seventh place mainly due to the higher standard of entries.

The US adaptive rowing team is selected through trials and so far Gilbert has secured her position in the crew every year but she hopes for a time when this will change. “I hope there comes a point when someone knocks me out of the boat,” says Gilbert. “I’d love to see the programme get to that point.”

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