Rowing BC partnership with BC Children’s Hospital

Rowing BC partnership with BC Children’s Hospital

Dr. Patricia Moreno, Founder and Academic Coordinator of Instituto Remo Meu Rumo in São Paulo, Brazil, visited BC Children’s Hospital (BCHH) in the summer of 2023 and shared anecdotal information about rowing as an opportunity to promote participation and mobility in youth with Cerebral Palsy (CP). The Motion Lab at BCCH recognized that British Columbia, with its large rowing community, could potentially support a similar program.

In the fall of 2023, the Motion Lab team at BCCH met with Rowing BC to initiate a connection with some potential coaches and rowing clubs.  A pilot community-based rowing  project began in June and now has eight youth with CP learning how to row at six BC rowing clubs.

Burnaby Lake Rowing Club, Deep Cove Rowing Club, Delta Deas Rowing Club, Maple Bay Rowing Club, Vancouver Rowing Club, and Victoria City Rowing Club are all involved! The plan is for a sustainable way to provide rowing opportunities for youth with a variety of abilities at rowing clubs across BC.

Thanks to the Motion Lab at BC Children’s Sunny Hill Health Centre and the funder of the project, I’m a HIPpy Foundation, as well as all of the rowing clubs and coaches that are currently involved. 

If you have questions or would like to look into supporting kids in your community, please reach out to Lisa Tschannen, Rowing BC’s Manager of Education, Innovation, and Inclusion.