The Adaptive Program's on-water season is drawing to a close. It has been a very productive year, with the following highlights:

In May, the Sudbury Rowing Club - Independent Living Resource Centre's winter erg program wrapped up for the 2008-2009 season.Over 20 athletes participated for a combined distance of over 130,000 meters.

The partnership was possible because of a grant from Rowing Canada Aviron to purchase a pair of Concept2 ergs that are now housed at the ILRC and funds from the SRC Adaptive Program for a pair of WinTech adaptive seats.

 In June,  a pair of SRC members, Thomas Merritt and Steve Daniel,  were recognized at the 41st annual House of Kin Sports Banquet. Thomas was nominated for the Joe Drago Coach of the Year Award and Steve shared this year's Male Amateur Athlete of the Year Award. Also in June, Thomas was selected for the coaching staff of the RCA National Adaptive Rowing Program.  

RowOntario’s first adaptive rowing clinic September 12th &13th  was a great success. Hosted by the Sudbury Rowing Club, and strongly supported by ROWONTARIO, the Ontario Coaches Association, and ParaSport Ontario, the weekend-long clinic brought 35 participants from across Canada and the US to the SRC boathouse.

Seven Ontario clubs sent up rowers and coaches with a variety of experience levels, from absolute novices to Paralympians. Clinic workshops featured sessions led by professionals in strength training and nutrition for athletes with disabilities and from Concept2. The weather cooperated and adaptive singles, doubles, pairs, and fours were out on the water both mornings allowing coaches and athletes to experiment with rigging and get a first-hand feel for different types of adaptive rowing.

This clinic followed an adaptive coaching clinic earlier this summer; together these clinics were designed to recruit more athletes and coaches into adaptive rowing. To this end, throughout both clinics the enthusiasm for this growing facet of our sport was contagious as rowers and coaches shared ideas, goals, challenges and experience.