Inroads into the Colombian rowing scene

Indoor rowing training in Bogotá
© Santiago Fuentes

Until a month ago indoor rowing did not exist in Colombia. In fact the only link the country had to the sport was a small group of dedicated Colombians training on the River Thames in Great Britain. The first indoor rowing classes have now begun at a local gym in the inland capital city, Bogotá.

Used as an alternative to Pilates workouts, Santiago Fuentes recently spent some time in Colombia teaching indoor rowing to local instructors.

Colombian indoor rowing instructors

Fuentes noted the potential for rowing in the country with suitable bodies of water and a nation of sports-oriented people.

?Even though there is very little knowledge of rowing in Colombia, there is a bunch of places in which on-water rowing can be started,? said Fuentes.

In Bogotá alone Fuentes spotted two separate areas that had rowing potential ? Parque Bolivar and the lake at the Los Lagartos Club.

The Colombian rowing team which is currently training under Phil Rowley in Great Britain, will travel to the Central and Caribbean Games to be held in Mexico (in July). This will give Rowley’s team an opportunity to visit Colombia and promote the sport.

Related Links
Rowing everywhere but Colombia
The Mexican indoor rowing boom

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