“Maybe rowing is something for me”

In this boat are cox Ariane and rowers Isis, Hannah, Julie and Joost. Isis and Julie are students, and both are visually impaired. Psychobiology student Isis tells us: “I was looking for a new sport. I was also exploring the possibilities in sport, as I am visually impaired. I came across Rowing Blind and thought: that’s a great challenge. I really enjoy the fact that Rowing Blind is organized at a student rowing club.” Julie reads Law in Leiden and is already a member of the students’ music association “Sempre Crescendo”. She tells us that her brother forwarded Rowing Blind to her, and she thought: “Maybe this is something for me. To be able to row, you don’t really need to see, as long as somebody else steers the boat in the right direction.”

Isis admits that it can be difficult to make contact with a new association. “What I particularly like is that these students are so open to people who are visually impaired. You have to be lucky that people are prepared to help you. If you sense that people don’t really want to put some effort in it, it can be very discouraging. At Njord, I feel that everyone actively wants to help, and that creates a very nice and relaxed atmosphere. I don’t feel like a burden.” Julie: “I like rowing so much. Rowing is more of a teamsport than I thought at first. I enjoy being on the water.” Both girls are enthusiastic about the sport and plan to carry on rowing.