News from Community Rowing, Inc.

Featured in photo from (front row): Robert Black from Oklahoma; Laura Schwanger from PA; John Horgan from MA; David Estrada, MA; Scott Brown from PA; and Natalie McCarthy from WA. Back Row: Andrew Johnson from CT; Oksana Masters from KY; Beth Bryant from KY; Jonathan Bishop Angela Bishop; and Grace Van Dyck all from MA.

On Saturday, February 21st, twelve adaptive athletes rowed in CRI's 1st Adaptive Indoor Rowing Challenge. There were four major events-- The 100 meter, 500 meter, 1,000 meter and 1,000 meter pair race. Each race was categorized by arms only; trunk and arms; and legs, trunk and arms. Medals were given to the fastest three female and male rowers in each event. Click Here for a slideshow.

During the competition, David Estrada, Executive Director of the Boston Chapter of the National Spinal Chord Injury Association, demonstrated how a C2 ergometer equipped with the Functional Electric Stimulation (FES) device allows him to incorporate the use of his legs while rowing. Using the FES over the last year at Spaulding Rehabilitation Hospital, Estrada has been able to show an increase in bone density and muscle mass in his legs as well as his VO2 or cardio-respiratory endurance.

After the racing concluded, Scott Brown and Laura Schwanger, spoke about their experiences at the Beijing Paralympic Games and how they trained for the games. Schwanger,a four-time Paralympian and two-time national adaptive team member, proudly showed us her bronze medal she received in the Women's Arms-Only Single Sculls Event in Beijing. Brown, a first-time Paralympian and six-time national adaptive team member, finished seventh in the Adaptive Double Sculls in the 2008 Paralympic Games.

CRI would like to extend a huge thanks to the members of the Adaptive Rowing Committee, especially Jamie Hintlian, Tom Darling, Gina Navia, Calder Reardon and all the volunteers that made this event possible and helped it run smoothly!

Cheryl Egan, Cristina Vieria, Rachel Gould, John Chiang Keh, and Jane Morse did an excellent job coxswaining their rowers. Avery and Sara Muchinski, and the Boston College Women's Crew Team helped setup the event and welcomed athletes and their families.

CRI thanks Concept2 for co-sponsoring the event and donating 10 new Concept2 Model D ergometers to CRI. In addition, we would like to thank Mark McAndrew of Concept2 and Deb Arenberg of WinTech Racing, for lending their expertise and providing all of the equipment and adaptive seats used during this event; Peter Loeffen, Developer of RowPro Software, that allowed a real time virtual outdoor race simulation of each athlete as they raced; Pam Loeffen, who demonstrated how the RowPro technology can allow rowers in different parts of the world to compete against each other on indoor rowing machines in "real time" by rowing at 4 am on Sunday, Feb. 22 her time in Auckland, New Zealand against CRI member Howie Schmuck, who rowed at the Harry Parker Boathouse in Brighton, MA at 10am On Feb. 21st.

Additionally, we would like to thank Gary Pandiatosi for announcing the races; Peter Dreissigacker for presenting the medals, and Bobby Hurley, Head Coach for Louisville RC Adaptive Rowing Program.

Finally, A BIG THANK YOU to CRI member, Russell Schneider for, once again, donating all of the audio visual equipment needed to run a successful and professional event.