Para & Adaptive Rowing Coaching Resources
Many coaches who have never worked with athletes with a disability feel that to be effective, they need highly specialized skills, knowledge, or training.
But that’s a misconception.
In fact, most coaches who work with rowers with a disability soon discover that there is fundamentally no difference at all compared to coaching an able bodied rower.
The challenge, as with all coaching, is to truly understand the individual, to focus on their abilities and to explore what they can achieve.
The safety, comfort and enjoyment of the participant is paramount.
The sense of freedom of being out on the water and in control of a rowing shell is exciting and empowering for new Para rowers.
Ask and listen if you don’t know how the equipment will work for the new rower. They usually have a pretty fair idea of what’s going to work and how to achieve the most successful set-up. Take some time to have a conversation with your athletes to find out what they are comfortable with. Their input into problem solving will be a valuable aid.
Be prepared to improvise. No two athletes will be alike, so each athlete you coach will require a unique solution to ensure injury free and efficient rowing. Remember that unlike able bodied rowing, where athletes adjust rigging to suit their bodies, Para athletes may in effect be part of the rigging solution. Various forms of strapping, foam padding and other modifications may be crucial in setting up a Para athlete for success.
Wind and current will also be a factor in planning a new PR1 (Arms and Shoulders) session. If your rower is not using their legs to propel the boat, less force is available for them to combat weather conditions that may arise. Plan accordingly, especially in the early stages of their development.
Just like any prospective rower, starting everyone on the ergometer is a good start. It also enables you to offer this option to rowers who need a fixed seat for support, even if you don’t have the boat yet. The fixed seat attaches with a pair of simple clamps to the erg rail. It’s a great way to see just how much control your rower has over their body in a safe environment. This better enables you to work out some initial plans for getting the athlete on the water.
Treat all of your rowers equally. Do not assume fewer competencies in and around the water when you’re working with someone with a disability.
World Rowing offers a specific Para rowing coaching course which contains 10 lessons. It is a introductory, self-guided course for classic or coastal rowing coaches including experienced classic rowing coaches. If you would like to register for this course, please contact our Coach Development team.
Please see the attachments below from World Rowing which have some information on coaching Para rowers.
Sport NZ and Paralympics NZ offer a Coach Development course through their "LevelUp" programme. This free online course is a series of online modules for coaching disabled athletes no matter whether you are just starting out or want to grow your skills.
LevelUp resources are made up of nine modules. Once you complete the first two modules, it will unlock seven additional impairment specific modules.
- Introduction to Para Sport
- Classification for Coaches
- Coaching for Intellectual Impairment
- Coaching for Athletes with Impaired Muscle Power
- Coaching for Impaired (Passive) Range of Motion
- Coaching for Neurological Impairments
- Coaching for Athletes with Limb deficiencies
- Coaching for Vision Impaired Athletes
- Coaching for Short Stature Athletes
Please visit this LINK to find out more and start your course.