Freedom Rows - Delta Heroes
Our Freedom Rows program is for disabled veterans and active-duty military. Any veteran with a special challenge from any era is welcome to join. You don't have to know how to scull in order to train with us- we will teach you! We meet and train together every Tuesday and Thursday morning.
If you have a physical disability, we can accommodate you! We have special equipment to attach to the indoor rowing machine and our boats so you can row with just your arms, or your arms and trunk, rather than needing to use your full body - legs, trunk and arms!
Here are some benefits of the sport:
Stay tuned for February: our team competes in Concept2's Military Challenge using indoor rowing machines.
To register, email Pat Tirone, Head Coach of Freedom Rows, or fill out the contact form linked below.
If you have a physical disability, we can accommodate you! We have special equipment to attach to the indoor rowing machine and our boats so you can row with just your arms, or your arms and trunk, rather than needing to use your full body - legs, trunk and arms!
Here are some benefits of the sport:
- Rowing is a total body workout, involving all of the major muscle groups, the heart, and lungs.
- It is a great aerobic workout with an output equal to rigorous running, jumping rope, or swimming.
- Rowing can also be practiced as a form of moving meditation.
- It is a low impact sport, so it doesn't stress the joints.
- Anyone at any age can do it.
- From time to time, especially during the winter months when we are off of the water at night, DSC leads indoor rowing practices on rowing machines ("ergs"). If you'd like to join these practices, you would be welcome. Don't have your own erg? We can lend you one!
Stay tuned for February: our team competes in Concept2's Military Challenge using indoor rowing machines.
To register, email Pat Tirone, Head Coach of Freedom Rows, or fill out the contact form linked below.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the Freedom Rows - Delta Heroes program meet?
Freedom Rows practices on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. We start somewhere between 7:00 and 9:00 AM, depending on the season. Practices last between 2 and 2 ½ hours.
How often can a new Veteran participate?
Initially, a Veteran should attend one practice per week. As they advance or as we have ample help, we can add both mornings if the Veteran is interested.
What prerequisites are required?
The Veteran should not be afraid of the water and should be capable of taking care of him/herself in the water for 5 minutes (treading water, swimming 25 yards, etc. - basic water confidence). In addition, the Veterans should be willing to wear a personal flotation device if not water-confident, and the same is required during the winter due to risk of hypothermia from the cold. Generally, fear of the water gets in the way of learning to be on the water in one of our boats so though not a requirement to swim, comfort on/in the water really helps the learning process.
How do you communicate with participants?
The Veteran should have a communication device that receives text, or preferably email. Two emails are sent out to participants each week: one on Monday to announce Tuesday’s practice and another on Wednesday to announce Thursday’s practice. Each email will confirm the practice’s start time, including the time that the participant should arrive at the boathouse.
How does practice change in the spring/summer versus winter months?
During the warm weather months, practice times do not vary so much but during the winter due to fog and cold, start times may vary for each meeting. And during the summer months we generally start practices earlier than during the winter to avoid the summer heat.
What should I wear?
Please dress for the weather first and foremost. During the colder months, we suggest wearing layers, including a windbreaker, perhaps a vest or long-sleeved velour shirt, a hat, etc. Clothing made of cotton and similar materials are to be avoided as they don't dry out easily if they get wet and can be heavy if the athlete "goes swimming" unintentionally. Sport-tech fabric is advised instead. Usually clothing used for cycling or running is appropriate. A hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and a non-metal water bottle are always advised.
Consider wearing brightly colored tops including neon colors. This is always helpful for visibility purposes when on the water. We share the waterways with boaters, jet skiers, and more who many not see us easily since we are so close to the water.
Consider wearing brightly colored tops including neon colors. This is always helpful for visibility purposes when on the water. We share the waterways with boaters, jet skiers, and more who many not see us easily since we are so close to the water.
Can I bring a caregiver with me to practice?
Depending on the prospective participant’s limitations and needs, a caregiver/family member would be welcome to join the Veteran and assist the Veteran in the Freedom Rows program.
When do you have practice?
The Freedom Rows program is ongoing year around. Except when we close the boathouse for a month: two weeks before the new year and for the first two weeks of the new year.
We are committed to starting participants at any time. However we are sometimes challenged by not having enough skilled volunteers to help, so a potential participant may have to wait a bit for us to reorganize our schedule and bring on some additional help.
We are committed to starting participants at any time. However we are sometimes challenged by not having enough skilled volunteers to help, so a potential participant may have to wait a bit for us to reorganize our schedule and bring on some additional help.
I am new to sculling. What would practice look like for me?
First thing: get in touch with Pat and plan a date to show up.
Once a first practice is scheduled, one of our volunteer coaches will work with a Veteran on land for training purposes.
If the Veteran is interested in a follow up practice, the coach will train him/her to progressively get on the water in our two-person boats with pontoons on either side to minimize the risk of taking a swim.
Over time, we will help him/her get a free membership in USRowing and to do a free on-training in "SafeSport".
Once a first practice is scheduled, one of our volunteer coaches will work with a Veteran on land for training purposes.
If the Veteran is interested in a follow up practice, the coach will train him/her to progressively get on the water in our two-person boats with pontoons on either side to minimize the risk of taking a swim.
Over time, we will help him/her get a free membership in USRowing and to do a free on-training in "SafeSport".
I’m a Veteran - how can I volunteer?
All the above would be true - we can start in the same way; same requirements for free USR membership and SafeSport training. Some of the volunteer roles available are:
If you are interested in the Freedom Rows - Delta Heroes program, please reach out to Head Coach Pat Tirone, or fill out the Contact Form linked below.
- Help carry boats from the boathouse and put them in the water; also, help lift boats out of the water, clean them and replace them in the boathouse. Some of the boats are relatively heavy and we carry all with at least two people, sometimes four. So someone with a chronic back injury would not want to serve in this way.
- Repair equipment as needed - this ranges from replacing and fixing parts to sanding small areas of our boats, prepping the areas for paint and painting those areas.
- Become a “Dock Master”. After someone has the "big picture" of how a practice is run, they can be a HUGE help just staying at the dock and monitoring the putting in and taking out of boats - to help if someone suddenly mis-steps or miscalculates their strength, to help organize so we are safe with each other (help avoid getting the dock too busy with boats, and other equipment- especially our portable lift and wheelchairs - and to keep things moving so we are efficient both getting on the water and off).
- Work from home. There is always plenty of office work, social media work, bookkeeping to be done - just about any kind of work you can think of for running a business.
If you are interested in the Freedom Rows - Delta Heroes program, please reach out to Head Coach Pat Tirone, or fill out the Contact Form linked below.