GOLD for NEIL

The Home Countries International Regatta is an annual event between England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. This year, an adaptive class for disabled athletes was included in the event.

Stratford Boat Club’s Neil Smith was selected to represent the English team in the adaptive single scull category. The race was held over the final 500 metres of the Welsh National Regatta course in Cardiff Bay within sight of the Welsh National Assembly Building. Conditions were good, with bright sunshine and a gentle breeze. Neil got a good start and after a few nervy early strokes rowed an almost perfect race to win by 75 metres from his Scottish opponent.

Neil, who has cerebral palsy, is a former world champion disabled swimmer and world record holder who only began rowing a year ago. His coach, Kim Robinson, commented “I keep setting Neil impossible goals, but as he’s new to rowing, he does not realise they are impossible so he just goes ahead and achieves them. He is an incredible athlete.” Neil’s victory helped win England the Senior Men’s match and, as team captain, he later collected the Winner’s trophy at the Regatta banquet held at the Cardiff Indoor Arena.