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30th Anniversary  


On a warm summer day in 1981, a small group of rowers gathered by the banks of the Schuylkill River in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The boats were prepared. The oars were set. Nine rowers prepared to race. Up until now, this may seem like the story of just another rowing race. But on that summer day in 1981—when the first rowers launched and the race began—history was made. These rowers were no ordinary athletes—they were rowers with disabilities participating in the first BAYADA Regatta, one of the first adaptive rowing competitions in the United States.

Since that first race more than almost three decades ago, the BAYADA Regatta has grown steadily—becoming one of the largest adaptive rowing events in the world. Competitors from across the country—and from as far away as Europe and Africa—have competed in various adaptive rowing events.

The heart and soul of the BAYADA Regatta are the athletes themselves. Rowers may have a number of disabilities, including visual impairment, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, intellectual disabilities, spina bifida, post polio syndrome, amputations, paraplegia, or quadriplegia. Using rowing shells that have been adapted, the athletes train throughout the year to prepare for the event. For the 2012 Regatta, rowers—classified according to their physical, visual, or intellectual impairment—compete in one or more of the following adaptive sculling events: single, double, or a sweep (event with four adaptive rowers and a coxswain). In addition, there are also recreational races for those individuals with disabilities that are unable to compete at the adaptive level and require the assistance of an able-bodied partner to row the boat.

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