“Catch Us If You Can”: Rowing Ireland Launches Groundbreaking Initiative Ahead of Paris 2024 Olympics

Rowing Ireland, the governing body for rowing in Ireland, is proud to announce the launch of its exciting new initiative, “Catch Us If You Can,” designed to engage schools and clubs across the country in the exhilarating world of rowing ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Trying to mirror the rigorous training schedule of Rowing Ireland’s High-Performance athletes, “Catch Us If You Can” will see schools across Ireland participating in training similar to that undertaken by the elite rowers. Students will be immersed into the demanding training regimen of top-level rowers while promoting the sport of rowing at the grassroots level.

As part of the initiative, participating schools will compete for the chance to win a state-of-the-art Concept 2 rowing machine for their institution. This prize is both an incentive for schools to participate and also a valuable addition to their sports facilities, encouraging ongoing engagement with rowing long into the future at the grassroots level.

“Catch Us If You Can” will feature a series of inspiring and insightful videos showcasing the personal experiences and training insights of Rowing Ireland’s High-Performance athletes as they prepare for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics. These videos will offer a behind-the-scenes look into the dedication and determination required to compete at the highest level of rowing.

Commenting on the initiative, Derek Bowen, Manager of the Get Rowing Programme stated, “We are thrilled to launch ‘Catch Us If You Can’ ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympics. This initiative not only provides a unique opportunity for schools and clubs to engage with the sport of rowing but also allows us to share the incredible journey of our high performance athletes as they prepare for the Paris Olympics”.

In addition to schools, the initiative will extend to Rowing Ireland’s 100 clubs, offering members the chance to “Catch” the HP athletes in their training pursuits leading up to the Olympics. This inclusive approach will foster a sense of camaraderie and connection within the broader rowing community, uniting athletes of all levels in their passion for the sport.

“Get Going Get Rowing is an increasingly popular initiative for schools around the country.” said Rowing Ireland President, Neville Maxwell. “We have seen record numbers of participation this year in the programme with 46,000 students around the country getting involved, and it’s fantastic to be able to link schools with our high-performance athletes as they prepare for the Paris Olympics. Kids are able to see their sports heroes in a behind-the-scenes manner before seeing them on the telly this summer, it’s an incredible opportunity for schools!“

Ireland currently has six boats qualified for the Paris Olympics and one boat for the Paralympics. After an exciting week of racing in Italy for World Cup I they came home with two medals, silver for the Women’s Pair and bronze for the Men’s Double. Up next is the European Championships in Hungary in two weeks time followed by the Final Qualification Regatta next month where Ireland will have one last go at qualifying some more boats.

“Catch Us If You Can” builds upon the success of Rowing Ireland’s existing Get Going…Get Rowing program, furthering the organisation’s commitment to promoting participation and excellence in rowing across Ireland.

Get Going Get Rowing is a Rowing Ireland Schools programme funded by Sports Ireland Dormant Account Funding and Dublin City Council. The Programme engages 45,000 students annually from more than 130 schools across the island. The Programme offers leadership coaching training, peer-to-peer initiatives, indoor PE classes, on the water classes, team-building days, and summer camps to students from ages 12 to 17.  The Programme also specialises in classes for Special schools and inclusion units, as well as schools in areas of socio-economic deprivation.

For more information on “Catch Us If You Can” and how to get involved, please visit the Get Going Get Rowing website at https://www.getgoinggetrowing.com/row-to-paris-catch-us-if-you-can/