Korea tests adaptive indoor rowing

As one of the core rowing countries in Asia, Korea has established the Korean Rowing Association for the Disabled. In its second year, the association recently helped organise the 3rd Indoor Rowing Championships for the Disabled at Daegu University to help promote adaptive rowing in Korea.

Mr Han Sang Hoon, International FISA Umpire and one of the founders of the Indoor Rowing Championships in Korea said, “It is important to start this new sport using indoor rowing machines for the disabled. The indoor rowing machine provides a great opportunity for disabled through to experienced rowers, but eventually the on-water training opportunity is important and necessary for preparing teams for the World Championships in Munich.”

Mr Satoru Okamoto, Chairman of the Japan Adaptive Rowing Association was impressed by the championships. “Based on the mass participation at this indoor rowing championships, I am sure Korea will be able to identify some talent and prepare a small group to start off at the World Rowing Championships in Munich this year in August. We are also considering a similar approach for preparing for the Paralympic Games in Beijing. We will focus on smaller crews such as the men’s and women’s single and the trunk and arms double.”

At present adaptive rowing has the support of Concept 2 and the Daegu University but they are working hard to secure government funding to enable on-the-water rowing and send Korea's first adaptive rowers to the World Rowing Championships. 

Participants:
Rowers with visual impairments: 140
Rowers with intellectual disabilities: 9
Rowers with physical disabilities: 84
Rowers with other unknown disabilities: 26

Copy thanks to Fay HO
Chair, FISA Adaptive Rowing Commission