Peterborough City Rowing Club came alive with colour, laughter and the buzz of shared achievement on Friday 31 July as it hosted the second annual Row the Rhythm Festival.
Welcoming visually impaired rowers, families, volunteers and supporters from Peterborough City Rowing Club, Leicester Rowing Club and Fulham Reach Boat Club, the festival was another celebration of inclusive rowing, friendship and discovering what’s possible on the water. Building on the success of last year’s inaugural event, the 2026 festival brought together over 50 people for a day of rowing, conversation and plenty of sunshine.
First-time sculling adventures
For many participants, the highlight of the day was rowing a single scull for the first time.
Among those reaching that milestone were a 13-year-old and an 18-year-old, both new to the sport. They left the landing stage tentatively and came back with huge smiles, which said everything about what the festival aims to build: confidence, independence and belief in one’s own ability.
Throughout the day, experienced coaches and volunteers supported rowers in singles and doubles, giving everyone the chance to challenge themselves in a safe, encouraging environment.
Bringing clubs together
One of the festival’s greatest strengths is the chance for visually impaired rowers from different clubs to meet, share experiences and inspire one another.
Whether swapping tips over lunch or cheering each other on from the bank, new friendships were formed and old ones strengthened, creating a sense of community that carried on well beyond the water.
More than just rowing
As always, Row the Rhythm was about more than rowing alone. Refreshments, homemade cakes and a relaxed picnic lunch gave everyone the chance to catch up, meet new people and celebrate the day’s achievements together.
One participant summed up the day: “Hi Kate, well done to you, Pete and everyone else who made today so brilliant. We both had really great fun and I’m sure everyone else who attended enjoyed it as much as we did. The rowing was fun as usual, the food and drink was very tasty and the company was extremely good.”
Another visitor added: “Such a great event! I loved speaking to the Row the Rhythm participants and seeing how incredible they are on the water!”
And another, simply: “It was genuinely an amazing time. Thank you guys for making it as good as it was!”
Thank you
The festival was organised by Kate Lindgren, co-lead of Row the Rhythm and a blind sculler herself, alongside coach Pete Forrest and a team of volunteers whose enthusiasm and hard work made the day possible.
Thank you also to everyone who baked cakes, prepared refreshments, launched boats, coached, coxed, supported participants and helped create such a welcoming atmosphere.
As Row the Rhythm continues to grow, so does the message at its heart: that rowing should be accessible to everyone. This year’s festival showed once again what’s possible when people are given the opportunity, encouragement and confidence to take to the water.
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