Dallas United Crew, the nonprofit that is building a boathouse on the east shore of White Rock Lake, is making good on a promise to serve wounded veterans and adaptive rowers. With help from other groups, DUC coordinated the 2015 National Veterans Wheelchair Games’ (NVWG) rowing exhibition, which attracted approximately 70 military vets from around the country.
Before its approval by the city council in 2011, critics of the DUC’s forthcoming boathouse argued the club and its facilities would serve only wealthy crew team members and not benefit the greater community. At a public meeting in 2011, DUC coach Jonathan Stevens promised to be something more. In addition to its core student team members from 20-plus Dallas area schools, DUC would focus on scholarship programs for lower-income kids, summer camps, learn-to-row days and partnering with programs for disabled veterans and kids, he said.
As architects drew boathouse plans, DUC members initiated talks with the Veterans Administration and Paralyzed Veterans of America to learn how they might create an inviting environment for veterans and adaptive rowers.
Meanwhile, Dallas was named the site of the 2015 NVWG, and, because of its outreach, DUC was invited to host the adaptive rowing event, something NVWG was trying for the first time.
DUC’s boathouse is still in the planning stages, so the event took place near the existing boathouse on the west side of White Rock Lake — many groups including the Veterans Administration, the Paralyzed Veterans of America, US Rowing, Row America Hamilton, White Rock Rowing and the Dallas Park and Recreation Department collaborated and saw a larger-than-expected turnout.
DUC provided specialists to assist those who had never tried adaptive rowing, which differs significantly from the able-bodied version, representative Donna Swanson notes. Techniques vary depending on what part of the body is restricted.
“In adaptive rowing, everyone’s situation is unique,” Swanson explains. “For the wheelchair veterans and other adaptive rowers, we use standard rowing equipment that is adapted for the special needs of the rower. We have several experts here to help the veterans find the right fit so that they can have the best experience.”
She adds that DUC did everything possible to include a wide range of participants.
“So for some that meant indoor rowing, others were able to get out on the barge and a few others of a higher skill level were able to get out in double and singles,” she says. “It was phenomenal. They loved it. I’ve never seen so many smiles on the faces of people coming off the water.”
