Community Rowing Club Sydney

The World Works Better With Us

At Community Rowing Club Sydney, Disability Pride Month is a time to celebrate people, community, and belonging. We celebrate disability as a natural, valuable and vibrant part of human diversity.

For many years, we have proudly welcomed athletes of all abilities, creating opportunities for people with disabilities to discover the joy of rowing, to be able to build lifelong friendships, to challenge themselves, and achieve things they may never have imagined possible.

We believe disability is not defined by a person—it is often created by environments that fail to include everyone. A person who uses a wheelchair is not disabled by their spinal injury; they are disabled by a building designed with only stairs. A para-rower is not disabled on the water when a boat has been adapted to match their biomechanics. In the same way, sporting facilities should be designed to work for every athlete from the very beginning.
That belief has driven our club for more than seventeen years. We have fought for a fully accessible rowing and multi-sport facility because everyone deserves the opportunity to participate, compete if they wish, and to belong. Our goal has never been simply to remove barriers—it has been to turn constraints into competitive advantages.

Inclusion is not about lowering the bar—it is about removing the barriers so everyone has the opportunity to reach it.

Our para-athletes are not people overcoming tragedy. They are elite athletes who train with extraordinary commitment, resilience and discipline. They rise before dawn, complete the hard sessions, chase every second, support one another, and continually push the limits of human performance. They are not defined by disability; they are defined by dedication, courage, teamwork and excellence. Like every champion, they are driven by determination, skill and an unwavering love of their sport.

We are incredibly proud of every athlete, volunteer, coach, family member and supporter who helps make our club a place where everyone is welcomed, respected and given the opportunity to thrive.

This Disability Pride Month, let us continue building a community where everyone belongs, everyone is valued and everyone has the chance to reach their full potential—both on and off the water.

Because the world works better with us.

Happy Disability Pride Month from all of us at Community Rowing Club Sydney. 💙🚣

Sport NSW Inner West Council Wheelchair Sports NSW / ACT Cerebral Palsy Sporting & Recreation Association Sport Inclusion Australia Australian Sporting Alliance for People with Disability Disability Sports Australia Rowing NSW

Calling all supporters! Please lend your voice to this important petition that looks to save a rowing program in South Australia, focused on ensuring inclusive access to the sport at a local school.

Although we haven't had direct contact with the CBC program, a former member has passed this on to us and says that the program is a fantastic initiative that takes all boys regardless of background or ability and is a focal point for developing confidence and young leaders.

Any program like that is a program we can get behind, and hopefully you would want to as well!

Sign the Petition Save CBC Rowing

Just another sunrise in rowing paradise. # para rowing

We weren't so lucky this morning as the rain descended just as we planned to boat. Frustrating that this morning the tide was high , the waters calm but the rain bucketed down

The best water in ages !
creek 15kms

An eight waiting for their boat !

What a glorious morning for a row. A sprinkling of gentle rain, just enough to cool us down after a 15km session.

...and the Album is up! We've elected not to add captions or comments to the album as this humble stroke sweeper wouldn't dare make an attempt to comment on the 'oarsome' lewks of the gathered throng, other than to say that everyone looked incredible and there were approximately a billion people in attendance, which was amazing to see! You're all incredible, and equally BOW (Best on Water) in my books.

But, if you haven't had enough of the evening yet, you can also check out the Photobooth shots here: https://gallery.socialexposure.com.au/gallery/6avQw?qv=kaDwo

Thanks everyone for making the night so special, and hope to see you next year!!!