A Piece Written by Sophie Harris – A Para Rower That Took Part in The Virtual Rowing Champs

This is pretty much my rowing journey in a snap shot.

I started rowing in December 2016 where Mayflower offshore rowing club welcomed me with open arms having never rowed before.

On 2nd of February 2017 it was my decision to embark on the journey that would mean I’d be an amputee after years of difficulty.

In June I was back in a boat and in August 2017 I was talent ID for Para rowing.

In March 2018 I was accepted on the para development squad.

Through this time I was part of both MORC and DTARC, this was due to one club being ocean and the other fine boat sculling and sweep.

My time was taken across several camps and even abroad.

For my rowing prosthetic I had to partly self fund, crowd fund and apply for grants and it was the amazing Dorset Orthopedic based in Ringwood who agreed to help and produce this amazing leg to allow for all this to happen. I was also given the support and guidance of not only fellow athletes but more so Coaches.

December 2018 I achieved bronze for the British indoor rowing champs against 8 other participants, this my first ever competition.

I’ve entered several regattas nearly all of them as a senior women and not as an adaptive PR3 rower.

Rowing physically took a back seat for a short while but I was kept busy by supporting and speaking for Love Rowing who are BR’s foundation charity who look to connect school , community and adaptive rowing and bring it more in line with the rest of us.

2020 has allowed me to think that rowing is part of me and get back in on the action.

More so in these current unprecedented times that we find ourselves in  that we can’t get out on the water! Talk about being boat sick.

Luckily I was able to borrow an ergo , to keep myself busy and embark on training.

Virtually so far I’ve done the Head of the Dart 15k and most recent the GigRower Virtual Champs which was over 4 days. I found these really good alternatives to the real thing and a boost not only mentally but physically.

Although I must say it’s nicer to watch the meters drop than the minutes !