Successful row-a-thon supporting the Row-to-Grow program

Successful row-a-thon supporting the Row-to-Grow program

Through a partnership with the Motion Lab at BC Children’s Hospital, Rowing BC and local rowing organizations across the province have been able to offer learn to row programs for youth with Cerebral Palsy alongside a research study to document the positive physiological impacts brought about from this involvement in rowing. In Year 1 of the program (2024), 8 youth participated in Burnaby, Duncan, Delta, Vancouver, and Victoria. In Year 2 (2025), 6 of these participants have continued to row and 7 additional participants have joined. As part of this program, not only are youth with Cerebral Palsy getting the chance to enjoy rowing in an appropriately-structured program, but coaches at each location are also benefiting from specific training into how to coach these youth, ensuring a positive learning experience for all involved. 

While the research study and learn to row program are supported by grant funding from the I’m a HIPpy Foundation, continuation in rowing requires a substantial financial commitment from each family. To support their on-going involvement in rowing, a goal of the Row-to-Grow program was to have some support streams set up that could reduce these costs. This year, the first test run of these ideas began to take place. 

Thanks to an excited group of medical school students from UBC with an association with the Motion Lab, a variety of fundraising initiatives began this Summer. This included offering learn to erg classes by donation at Shift+Lift, a fitness studio in Richmond, and a row-a-thon at Jack Poole Plaza (in front of the Vancouver Convention Center) on Saturday, August 30th.

The row-a-thon was prominently placed in front of the Olympic Flame Cauldron, catching the attention of passersby including travellers headed for the Hullo ferry, vacationers from a cruise ship that was docked that day, and numerous individuals before or after attending the Aritzia warehouse sale! Participants began the first strokes on the five ergs at 8 AM and those ergs kept going non-stop until 8 PM, thanks to a wide range of volunteers signing up for 15 minute segments at a time. To add to the engagement, one of the rowers stayed active on the erg for the full 12 hour duration – building up a growing base of invested followers throughout the day!

The enthusiasm on the ergs and at the tents was palpable – there were cheers and congratulations each time a shift change happened on the ergs, and a wide selection of snacks and treats to keep everyone’s energy levels up. An additional erg provided a chance for anyone to hop on and try to earn their spot on the 100m race challenge board. This station was busy with kids and adults alike wanting to have their 1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th, or 5th try at getting their fastest possible time. Many donations came in through the online platform, and in cash, from members of the public who noticed the activities. 

The row-a-thon benefited from prizes provided by the I’m a HIPpy Foundation, Lululemon, Canadian Tire, Blundell Center in Richmond and Native Shoes which made it possible to do a draw for a special prize for a participant every hour, and to give a prize to the fastest of all the 100m challenge times of the day. In addition, Native Shoes stepped up to provide a pair of shoes to each of the youth rowers in the Row-to-Grow program. At the season wrap-up BBQ and row in a few weeks, we look forward to giving these out to the participants!

Besides just being a fun day of rowing-related comradery, the combination of these fundraisers has brought in more than $9000 in support of the Row-to-Grow program. These funds will go directly to reducing the fees each family will pay to have their kids continue to row in the Junior programs at their local rowing club after completing the learn to row program that is part of the research study. This will have a tangible impact for each of the families involved, and we are so pleased to be able to offer this level of support. 

Inspired to make your own donation? 

You can do that online HERE and automatically receive a tax receipt.

Thank you to everyone who was part of these initiatives – from coaching programs on the water to evaluating the participants in the Motion Lab, from arranging learn to erg session details to preparing equipment for the erg-a-thon, from creating promotional materials to bringing enthusiasm to the row-a-thon day. All of these individual efforts have added up to an impressive collective success. Thank you! 

In addition, a special thank you goes to the Cascadia Masters Championships Regatta. Each year, the Cascadia Masters Championships Regatta uses the entry fee revenue from their relay event to support a philanthropic initiative related to the rowing community. This year, the revenue from this event went towards the Row-to-Grow program. Thank you to the Cascadia Masters Championships and all of the teams who made entries into the relay event for this support!

Want to know more?

Feel free to reach out for additional details about the Row-to-Grow program and coaching rowing for youth with Cerebral Palsy. You can contact us here: 

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