Brazil extends adaptive rowing prospects

Supported by FISA, the Brazilian Paralympic Committee and Liangjin Boats, the workshop was attended by coaches, officials, academics and medical professionals linked to adaptive rowing.

Speakers included Judy Morrison and Simon Goodey from FISA’s adaptive commission as well as Helder Costa, classifier of the International Blind Sports Federation; Prof. Dr. Pedro Paulo da Silva Soares, Brazilian Rowing’s scientific coordinator, Prof. Jose Paulo de Lima Sabadini, adaptive rowing coordinator for Brazilian Rowing, and Dr. Roberto Nahon, doctor for selection of Brazilian adaptive rowing for the national team.  

One of the goals of the workshop was to increase the number of countries that practice adaptive rowing in South America. To this extent the president of the Confederation of South American Rowing, Raul Rogelio Poletti attended as well as president of the Confederation Pan American Rowing, Oberti Juan Antonio Pesce.

Participants got to view the venue for rowing at the 2016 Rio Olympic and Paralympic Games with practical lessons being carried out at the rowing stadium.

During the workshop Brazilian world championship representatives in adaptive rowing were honoured. This included Josiane Dias Lima who finished fourth last year in the TAMix2x, Claudia dos Santos who was fifth in the ASW1x in 2011 and former World Champion, Lucas Pagani who finished first in 2007 in the TAMix2x along with Lima.

Brazil’s first World Champion in rowing, Fabiana Beltrame was also honoured for winning the lightweight women’s single sculls at last year’s World Rowing Championships.

The workshop included athlete classification with eight adaptive rowing athletes being classified by the trainee classifiers.

Goodey commented, "It is very encouraging to see the progress that Brazil is making in adaptive rowing. We look forward to seeing some fine performances from Brazil at the Paralympic Games."