Time for Plan B.

Actually, we’re estimating that, in our efforts to develop our adaptive rowing program, we’re on about Plan X or Y by now. Guess why it’s called “adaptive” — because we’re learning to adapt.

Equipment deliveries late? No problem — we have Plan E.
Missing parts? Easy — Plan H time.
Erg transport? No-brainer — pull out Plan J.
Seat issues? Ha! Plan M will fix that problem.
Funding shortfalls? Check out Plan Q.

The ability to come up with a Plan B (better known as resilience) really is key to successful program development — and, to a successful life. If we ever forget this lesson, we can just turn to our adaptive athletes — doubtful that any of them had planned a life with a disability, but they sure have created some awesome Plan Bs.

Not quite sure what these things do, but do know that we are using our respective tools to work together toward the same goal — getting people with functional limitations on the water.

How cool to collaborate with Jimmy, Jaime & gang on a scientific way to measure rowing’s many physical benefits — core strength, balance, shoulder range of motion, fitness.

Never mind the pluses of belonging to, and competing as, a team…
How can you quantify that?

Major thanks to the athletes who’ve agreed to participate in our 8-week summer erg training program — and, related research study with ASU.

Looking forward to y’all kicking our butts on the lake — well, sorta.

Tony intros Gary to some Rio Salado Rowing members who are interested in starting an adaptive rowing program.

Tony also know Ashleigh who knows Jimmy, an ASU researcher, who knows Brian, a British inventor who worked on a research project involving rowing… (coincidently, Barb, a Rio rower, knows Jimmy thru a former job.)

And, the six degrees of separation diminish to about one-an-a-half.

It’s great to know, connect, and involve such talented, supportive folks in our adaptive program.

That’s not all of the eerily weird connections that have benefited this program’s development, but, that’s enough for now — or, no one will believe us.

BTW, Snaps for Tony, the Great Connector!

Other people and organizations share our vision. And, they are partnering with us to make this adaptive rowing dream a reality.

A shout-out for our fellow visionaries at:

• Statewide Independent Living Council (SILC)
• AZ Bridge to Independent Living (ABIL)
• AZ Technology Access Program (AzTAP)
• Phoenix Banner Wheelchair Suns basketball team
• AZ Spinal Cord Injury Association
• AZ Disabled Sports
• ASU’s Center for Adaptive Neural Systems
• City of Tempe

Can’t wait to see y’all on the water!

We sure have pulled together an incredible team to develop our adaptive program – don’t want to risk embarrassing anyone by naming names, but you know who you are:  personal trainers, coaches, physical therapists, doctors, risk managers, insurance brokers, film producers, website designers, community organizers, grant writers, healthcare administrators, bankers, students…

We share a vision that everyone can — and, should — row. And, a commitment to making that vision a reality here in the Arizona desert.

Plus, we all like caffeine.

Isn’t that the usual catalyst for Great Things?

It is in our case.
One early January morning after getting off the water, a group of Rio and COT rowers gathered at the usual world-dominating corporate coffee company shop to fuel up. So energized, we all started talking at once about adaptive rowing (at December’s US Rowing convention, we had been introduced to the possibility when we met some adaptive rowers and equipment manufacturers.). We did a quick inventory of our talents and connections, and realized that, hey – we can do this too!

Many grandes & ventis later — here we are: four days away from our first day of a summer erg training program for adaptive athletes. What a great “buzz”!