The Henley Regatta for the Disabled took place on Saturday 31 August and CLASP staff, trustees, members family and friends had a fantastic day on and by the river Thames despite the not so fantastic weather!
Regatta for the Disabled offers a fun filled day on and by the River Thames for those with disabilities and their families/carers.
There were lots of activities including Boat trips, Punch & Judy, Circus, Entertainers, an accessible climbing wall, Millers Ark Animals (sheep, goats, rabbits and much more!) Soft Archery, Face Painting, Crafts, Rowing machines, Live Musical Entertainment and of course lots of lovely hot and cold food, ice-cream, soft drinks and beer!
The highlight of the Regatta is Bell Boating. Bell Boating is a big part of the Regatta for Disabled and gives the opportunities for schools, charities and organisations to come together to have fun on the water and race against each other.
Bell Boats are like two Canadian canoes linked together with a centre platform, making them very stable catamarans.
Each Bell Boat has a team of between 6 and 10 paddlers and a helm with each boat having a least 2 team members with a disability.
For the first time a team from CLASP entered the Bell Boat competition. Some paddlers had a unique technique and although not remaining completely dry the CLASP boat stayed afloat and all the paddlers avoided a dip in the Thames, which is a result!
The team not only stayed afloat but did brilliantly for first timers winning the award for the most enthusiastic team and only just missing out on a place in the final. Well done paddlers!
We asked some of the paddlers for their views. Thomas said 'I thought it was a really good day out, and I am looking forward to next year already. Rowing was something new and such fun.'
Dean B agreed 'Really good, absolutely loved it and the rowing was great. I liked everyone cheering us on'
Thomas and Dean B also chatted about their Bell Boat experiences over the tannoy, well done guys.
Debs was there with her family and both her husband and son-in-law took part in every race. The grand children had a fun day too with all the great attractions and fabulous face painting. Debs summed up the day ‘What an amazing day, although not without drama. So proud of the guys for doing so well. It’s in the diary for next year!’
Come on ladies, this year it was all guys, lets have a few of our female members next year join Debs in the boat!
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