ROWING

Announcing: The 11th Annual Chicago Indoor Rowing Championships (CIRC 2009)

This event attracts individuals aged 8 to 90 who use the Concept 2 rowing machine to either attain physical fitness or gain a spot on their respective high school or collegiate rowing teams. Registration is the highest ever at over 400 with entries from all major Chicago Area Junior and Collegiate rowing teams who send competitors to win 'bragging' rights as the best in a 2000 meter timed row. The event is capped-off by a Team Challenge Relay that involves five competitors rowing for 500 meters each, then passing the handle & seat to the next competitor until 2500 meters are completed. It is indeed a lively and crazy 'crowd' pleaser!

The Adaptive Challenge, however, is the event generating Buzz!

Paralympians to Join the Adaptive Challenge

Few adaptive athletes are familiar with indoor or on-water rowing as a competitive or fitness possibility. With the introduction of Rowing to the 2008 Paralympics in Bejing, our mission has been to build rowing awareness among those with disabilities to encourage local and national program development. Last year CIRC had the Adaptive Exhibition: this year it is a full Adaptive Competition with over 14 competitors in three categories: A (Arms only), TA (Trunk and Arms) and LTA (Legs, Trunk and Arms).

The Adaptive event, sponsored by World Sport Chicago and theChicago Park District, will be introduced by Larry Labiak, Chief Disabilities Officer, Chicago Park District. The athletes will be introduced by Linda Mastrandea, Vice President of Sport and Accessibility for Chicago 2016.

Participating athletes include:
Emma Preuschl: 2008: Silver medal, Mixed Coxed Four - LTA - Paralympic Games, Beijing, China
Ron Harvey: Men's single sculls Arms only: 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China and five-time U.S. National Team member and three-time medalist at the FISA World Championships
Harold Bostick: U.S Marine athlete in Quad Rugby and Basketball; Ranked #1 in US Quad Handcycling
Dr. Ed Melian, Adaptive rower /mentor; Associate Professor Radiation Oncology Neurological Surgery, Loyola University Stritch School Of Medicine
Earl Jordon, 1998 Inductee: Wheelchair Softball Hall of Fame
Ramon Canellada, Most Valuable Player, RIC Blackhawk Sled Hockey Team Senior Division 2000 Championship
Hector Bruno, Army Veteran Athlete in Sled Hockey, softball, basketball and handcycling
Charlie Gentzkow: Visually impaired Middle School indoor rowing and swimming athlete
Allison Kessler: Adaptive rower, Harvard Heavyweight Eight 2008 Coxswain
Dion Carr: High School Wheelchair Basketball athlete (GLASA); Blackhawk Team Sled Hockey (RIC)

Growth of Indoor Rowing
The Indoor Rower has long been recognized for providing a 'complete body' workout. It ranked 2nd in a review in the New York Times on favorite exercise equipment and this event reflects its growing popularity. 732,500 meters were rowed at last years event by 355 competitors. We anticipates over 400 competitors this year as the event continues to grow far beyond the 90 competitors in 2004. Over 50,000 individuals worldwide register their times on the Concept 2 Ranking website annually. Indoor Rowing is becoming a phenomena.
This event offers an opportunity to witness not only the growing popularity of Indoor Rowing but also its Fitness, Educational and Adaptive possibilities. Your audience will be fascinated and appreciative of your coverage.

When: Saturday, February 28, 2009; First Event : 8 a.m. Adaptive Challenge and introduction: 11:30 a.m.
Best Coverage Time: 11 am to 2p.m.
Where: Horner Park; 2741 West Montrose Avenue; Chicago, Illinois
For Event Details: go to : www.ChicagoIndoorRowing.com

CIRC Adaptive Profiles