Growing Rowing in India

This was my third trip to India to continue to support and help grow the rowing market, and it was, by far, my most exciting trip. Why? Well, the number one reason is that I witnessed the finals of an indoor rowing regatta for children in Kolkata. It was the culmination of two months of rowing education in elementary and secondary schools where over 4000 students were taught how to row on the Concept2 Indoor Rower. This may not sound like a big number of kids to those of us in the US, Australia or Europe where rowing has a big presence, but the whole of India has less than 20 rowing clubs in total.

Regatta organizer Shakil Ahmed had five indoor rowers available for the finals. Eighty of the fastest girls and boys qualified for the 250 meter finals which took place on February 20 in Kolkata. It was great to see how proud they and their families were. "After this successful indoor regatta in Kolkata, we are now planning to set up more indoor regattas in other parts of India," says Brian Noronha, the Concept2 dealer in India.

I can’t wait to see how the young sport of indoor rowing will grow in India.