Rowing with arthritis: meet the founders of Siôn Cwilt rowing club

When it comes to physical activity, rowing can be a great option for people with arthritis. Being a low impact exercise that works your entire body, rowing is a challenging and enjoyable workout that doesn’t put pressure on your joints.  

There’s no one who recognises the benefits of rowing more than rowing coaches Jane and Leo. Based in Siôn Cwilt, Wales, Jane and Leo have started their own rowing group in their community. The group has around 36 members and helps those of all ages, abilities and fitness levels, and supports people with mobility issues. 

Jane and Leo’s story

Jane and Leo know first-hand how it feels to live with joint pain. 65-year-old Leo has osteoarthritis in the right knee, and 60-year-old Jane suffers from hand and hip pain. They have both found rowing to help with their symptoms.  

“I had arthroscopies on my knees and eroded cartilage due to damage and wear”, says Leo. “I was told I’d need a knee replacement within 5 years, but it never happened. It’s not perfect, but I can function perfectly well. I put that down to rowing. Not only has it improved mobility in the joint, but I get a lot less pain than I used to.” 

Jane and Leo are both strong rowers who have rowed with a number of clubs over the years. “I’m a Level 2 rowing coach and a Coach Educator with British Rowing”, says Jane. But it was the lack of rowing opportunities in their community that made them want to start their own club. “I’ve rowed with a number of clubs”, says Leo. “But I had to travel a distance to get to them. New Quay on our doorstep is a beautiful safe location to row. It was a shame not to have an active club here.” 

Setting up Siôn Cwilt Rowing Club 

Siôn Cwilt Rowing Club received funding from Sport Wales and Versus Arthritis to buy equipment, including its very own rowing boat, but Jane and Leo needed to get the club started first. The idea first came about in November 2018, at an indoor rowing event.   

“A few people had asked us about making our own group but we weren’t sure where the money would come from”, says Jane. “By 2019, we had a small group of people who were willing to continue. We set up a committee, opened a bank account and had free affiliation with Welsh Sea Rowing (WSR) for the first year.  

“We hired a boat from WSR, but the lease is only for 8 weeks at a time. If another club needed it after that we had to give it to them. Luckily, they didn’t, so we had it for the whole of the summer.   

“We competed in a few events which was lovely, but then Covid struck, and all rowing was put on hold for 2 years. In that time, we were keen to keep the group going – we held online quizzes, a tabletop sale and a clothes collection.  

“We were chipping away at getting bits of money in and I then took over as secretary. The local council sent out a link for the Versus Arthritis grant to which we sent in an application. We put in an application initially for a set of lightweight oars. There were a few people in the club who are older, so lightweight oars are easy to use, and better for juniors too.” 

“It’s brilliant now having stuff we don’t have to hand back,” agrees Leo.   

But the funding didn’t end there. “After getting the oars, Versus Arthritis asked what else the club needed,” says Jane. “I said we need a boat and gave the price. Versus Arthritis put in the application on our behalf to Sport Wales. We got funding for a double trailer, which meant that we’d be well kitted up to bring it to events. 

“We were elated when we got the funding. I literally jumped around the place. It completely changed everything. We had security, we could plan things, we would be an established club and arrange things we couldn’t have done before.” 

What makes Siôn Cwilt Rowing Club special? 

“We wanted to set up a club that was affordable for people, and inclusivity was really important to us”, Leo explains. “Our group is for people aged 11 or above, and it’s open to everyone, wherever they come from, whatever they look like, whatever language they speak, whatever ability or disability. Affordability and inclusivity are really important to us. 

“You can really help younger people and older people who have lost confidence. They’re worried they won’t be good enough, but we help them to overcome that fear. There’s no age barrier. It helps people’s physical and mental health.” 

Why is rowing so good for mobility? 

“Because of the stroke cycle, you actually flex and extend most of your joints when you’re rowing”, explains Leo. “Your ankles, knees, hips, shoulders and elbows are all actively moving. Some people have bad backs or bad shoulders, and we’ll modify the stroke for them.  

“I can do things now I couldn’t do when I was 49. You use the core a lot when you’re rowing, and that in turn will help to keep your spine more erect and strengthen the muscles around the joints. It helps pain. 

“Because all the joints are put through a range of movement, pretty much everyone who rows finds their range of movement will improve. When exercise is done with the correct technique it really helps.”

And what’s the correct technique?  

“Good technique is all about correct alignment”, says Jane. “We make sure the technique is good before we do long distances or apply more pressure. You need to feel the pressure through both your feet equally.  

“You see some bad things in gyms, and people always put the resistance up too high. Always ask to be shown properly, because technique is important. Leisure centres are great if people don’t want to go on the water. Someone can coach you on the indoor rowing machines.” 

“Rowing uses 80% of body mass”, explains Leo. “Not everyone has equal fitness and people have various ailments, but we’re very keen to get people rowing with good technique. We ask people, ‘how do you think it’ll work for you?’ and then we actively encourage them to use the abilities they’ve got and we see how it goes. The range of movement always improves.” 

How can people with arthritis get into rowing? 

“Local councils will have a disability and inclusion officer who can signpost you towards clubs”, says Leo. “That’s a great access point for anyone who wants to get involved.” 

“Social media is great”, says Jane. “There’s a lot of stuff out there on how to row properly. There are a lot of resources online for rowing. And it’s important to have a can-do attitude. We’ve got that.” 

Let’s Move 

If you have been inspired by Jane and Leo’s story and would like to find an exercise routine that works for you, we have lots of resources to help, educate and motivate people with arthritis: 

• Try Let’s Move with Leon, a 12-week programme consisting of 30-minute sessions designed to help you improve mobility, posture, balance, cardiovascular and respiratory fitness and strength.   
• Join our Let’s Move Facebook group, a space where people share their experience of staying active when living with arthritis.  
• Sign up to our Let’s Move newsletter to receive advice and top tips on how to stay active with arthritis.