Blind Rower Kate Lindgren Can See What’s Possible

coachingtraining

Jan 19

Kate has worked out a communication system with her coach Pete that allows her to safely row a single.

Kate says "I wouldn't change my guide dog every week," so she appreciates the years-long relationship she has with her coach/navigator Pete Forrest.

Kate and Pete shove off the dock in a double.

Peterborough City Rowing Club has partnered with Lo0ve Rowing to bring Row the Rhythm to visually impaired people.

When Kate Lindgren and award-winning coach Peter Forrest met at Peterborough City Rowing Club, it came with more than a few firsts for these two Brits. While they were both self-proclaimed “late onset rowers" – learning to row later in life – neither could have expected the partnership and bond they’ve forged.

Inspired by Kate, whose blindness doesn’t even come close to impeding her rowing in a single, together they are the brains and brawn behind Row the Rhythm, a ground-breaking initiative designed specifically for visually impaired rowers across England.

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This episode was made possible in part by Breakwater Realty, RowSource, and our Patrons.

QUICK LOOK

00:00 - Intro
01:55 - The Huddle
04:35 - Rowing Week: 1-10
05:45 - A brief history of PCRC’s purpose-built rowing lake
07:45 - The Hot Seat Q&A
09:16 - Rowing origin stories: Pete needed a knee-friendly sport; walking and cycling no longer “cut the mustard” for Kate
13:15 - Kate’s retinitis pigmentosa and learning to feel the stroke
17:00 - Mind mapping your stroke
22:35 - Developing the logistics, trust, and respect for a successful blind rower/coach partnership
27:17 - Pete’s philosophy: coach the rower in front of you
30:43 - Row the Rhythm, with support from Love Rowing, is bringing rowing to visually impaired athletes across England
39:41 - Pete: British Rowing Inclusive Coach of the Year 2024
40:48 - Advice to clubs on integrating visually impaired athletes
43:36 - Describing the perfect stroke
44:24 - Steady State Network news and notes

Steady State Podcast is written, produced, hosted, and edited by Rachel Freedman and Tara Morgan. Tara provides additional audio engineering and is our sponsor coordinator. Rachel manages the website, social media, and e-newsletter. Our theme music is by Jonas Hipper.