New Ocean Row, New Collegiate Adaptive Rowing and CARP

New Ocean Row Project, New Collegiate Adaptive Rowing and The California Adaptive Rowing Program by Angela

For those that don’t know me or those that want to know more about me I dedicate and donate my time and my finances, I volunteer! I am humble and don’t care to speak of myself or exclaim to the world all of my good works normally but today I am going to make an exception. The California Adaptive Rowing Program is mentioned in most of the Articles and mentioned in many interviews that I do. I started and run an Adaptive Rowing Program since 2000 at the Long Beach Rowing Association. It is a 501-C3 not for profit organization for people with any disability for the sport of rowing. I have managed to keep it free for participants so that struggling families of kids and people with disabilities can participate. Not all adaptive programs can do this. The Long Beach Rowing Association deserves a great deal of credit for this. I also can make that claim.

History of our rowing program

I was introduced to the sport of rowing through Casa Colina rehab center in Pomona, CA. I took to the sport naturally. I purchased a boat with a fixed seat and pontoons and approached the Long Beach Rowing Association about starting an adaptive rowing program. 1 boat, 1 rower in 1999. I began inviting my friends from the VA hospital to come out and try the sport. Kelly McCumiskey was the first and she helped out till she moved to Big Bear. The Long Beach Rowing Association donated some storage space in the enclosure for our boats and equipment. I purchased more equipment and began the long process of applying for our non profit status. Since it was just me, I had to enlist the help of two others to define the structure for the program. Willie and Arvis Ford stepped up to plate. I finalized the paperwork and we became The California Adaptive Rowing Program in 2000. I am the Founder, Director, President and unfortunately the only coach or instructor. Willie Ford is our former Vice President and Arvis Ford is our Treasurer. Willie has since passed away and Debra Moeller has stepped in to the role of Vice President.

My qualifications: I began going through US Rowing coaches education program and am currently a US Rowing level III rowing coach with current certificates in first aide and CPR, survival at sea, life saving and sea rescue, social responsibilities and risk management. I am a surfer and an excellent swimmer. None of these are required to be a rowing coach or to teach the sport at our rowing program. I voluntarily decided to invest in myself and my education as a coach. I served on the National HAVC committee for Adaptive Rowing for many years. I produced an instruction manual on how to start an adaptive rowing program and how to teach the disabled to row.

I began this program and ran it for many years with no volunteers. I purchased all of our boats, oars and incidentals. Maureen Nunn has supported our national team athletes and deserves recognition. Ron Harvey went in halves with me to purchase 1 double. John Callos from LBRA donated some lights for our program. LBRA donates space in the enclosure and we have bathroom privileges at the boathouse. They also have our launch hull cleaned with their launches. I purchased and maintain the motor launch from DMV registration to fuel to mechanical repairs. I have been financially responsible for all our operating and administrative costs including the race entry fees and website since the beginning with the exception of the few things I listed. We appreciate the Long Beach Rowing Association for what they do. I am remodeling a space at my house for some ergs and gym equipment for indoor rowing

Our mission is to provide instruction and training for competitive and recreational opportunities in the sport of rowing to physically and developmentally challenged individuals. Our participants do not have to be Olympic swimmers or elite athletes.

We schedule our rowing sessions for the convenience of LRBA, CSLB and Junior crew. They get the time slots they need and we get what is left over. That keeps traffic on the water and off to a minimum and seems to work well.

Volunteers and participants of all colors and orientations, all abilities and faiths are welcome in our program. I hope to create some interest in our sport for coaches, volunteers and participants. You may also see me running some coaching clinics, teaching people how to teach the sport to people with disabilities, working with some other college coaches and I will be training a new volunteer coordinator and new volunteers.

How we are funded: We had a pancake breakfast in 2007 which generated a small amount of money and I pay for and fund everything myself with my disability income. I also raised money for CARP when I rowed across the Atlantic and again when I rowed across the Indian Ocean. Donations were made for my ocean rowing project but I never withdrew the funds for expenses, instead I made purchase of a new boat for CARP. The Pride and Veterans Day parade, I enter my ocean rowing boat and provide continental breakfast in the staging area and manage to make a small amount at these events. When I do my public speaking presentations rather than collect a stipend or payment for myself I instruct the organizers of the events to make the check out to CARP. I pay my own expenses to travel to these events. I have netted enough in my last two speaking gigs to pay the insurance and keep us afloat yet another year.

I have been working to develop and make the sport available and attempting to change the way the World views disability and mobility impairments, one ocean crossing at a time! It has certainly had and will continue to have some great benefits for the disabled community but it has meant that I had to take leave from the rowing program and it is expensive.

I welcome ideas and assistance in fundraising and grant writing as these are not my areas of expertise. I will not be able to continue to fund the program by myself as I have in the past. I welcome and need volunteers and any help coaching and teaching. The Long Beach Rowing Association have been excellent hosts for our program over the years and we have been able to exist only because they offer us space.


I have started a small Collegiate Adaptive Rowing Model and it is generating interest in some of our local universities. I need new boats and equipment and new ergs/indoor rowing machines. We are in process of re doing the carp website but there is a PayPal donate button on this site that really does work. I have never asked for help and always just done everything by myself. I need some help!

The Ocean Rowing Boat and I will be at the Ablities Expo in Los Angeles April 9-11
I will be presenting at the Amazing Leaders Paralympic conference in Colorado the end of April beginning of May then leave for England. All happened rather quickly...

I am going on another rowing trip 2,010 miles in 2010 Help for Heroes is the race charity. Seagals | All girl team rowing 2010 miles around GB in June 2010 un supported around Great Britain. From the London Tower Bridge to the London Tower Bridge. I leave for England in May. Race starts June 1st and should take 30-45 days to complete. Anyone wanting to follow, support, endorse or promote this project can contact me in any of the following ways.

Angela Madsen Aka Msparasurfer on Skype Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and World Rowing Network
websites: ROWOFLIFE.COM ROWOFLIFE.NET PirateRow.com
E:mail Msparasurfer@aol.com (562)434-8334

Our CARP rowing schedule: Monday and Wednesday night rows. 6:30-8:30 PM
Saturdays from 9:30-11:30AM
Cal State Long Beach Adaptive rowers now row on Friday mornings from 9:30-11:30.
Long Beach Veterans: will soon be scheduling
Team Silcock: Thursday 10:00 am – 12:00

Angela Madsen
Call me to schedule at (562) 434-8334 or e-mail me at Msparasurfer@aol.com.

Msparasurfer on Skype, Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and The World Rowing Network.
Websites: www.carplb.net www.rowoflife.com www.rowoflife.net www.piraterow.com www.Seagals.co.uk

Row Around Great Britain by Angela 2010 04 04

Round Great Britain Row by Angela

The Ocean Rowing Boat Rowoflife and I will be at the Abilities Expo in Los Angeles April 9-11
I will be presenting at the Amazing Leaders Paralympics conference in Colorado the end of April beginning of May then leave for England. All happened rather quickly...

I am going on another rowing trip 2,010 miles in 2010 Help for Heroes is the race charity.
GB Row 2010 -The Anglo American Challenge We are the Sea Gals, Press Release will be forthcoming. 2000 miles unsupported around Great Britain From the London Tower Bridge to the London Tower Bridge. I leave for England in May. Race starts June 1st and should take 30-45 days to complete. Anyone wanting to follow, support, endorse or promote this project can contact me in any of the following ways.

Angela Madsen Aka Msparasurfer on Skype Facebook, Myspace, Twitter and World Rowing Network
Websites: www.RowofLife.com www.seagals.co.uk.
E-mail Msparasurfer@aol.com phone (562)505-4157

Why I participate in extreme rowing challenges






I want my 3 grand daughters, Cheyenne, Angel and Amanda to know that no matter how bad things can get, that they are not totally powerless and there are still choices to make. Situation and circumstance should never be allowed to dictate who we are and what we will be able to achieve in our lifetime. Allowing situation and circumstance to oppress us is a choice. I want them to be happy and successful, to dream big and set goals for themselves realizing possibilities and potential for success, being hopeful and willing to do what is necessary to achieve those goals. The best way I know how to do this is to make my life an example to them.

When I first learned of the sport of Ocean Rowing I was drawn to it. I knew I was going to row an ocean. I did not allow the situation of being a woman and a paraplegic stop me. I just had to work harder and work differently to achieve my goals. I love that there have been so many differences in the projects I have done thus far and that this project is also unlike the others. It is coastal rowing in an all women's crew. I am really looking forward to it.

To date my best ocean rowing experience has been the Atlantic. The Smaller boat with Franck was an awesome experience. The Larger boat with more people was not nearly as good. It would be difficult for anyone to be as good a rowing partner as Franck. I would not hesitate to row with Franck again if his wife would allow him to row. Actually I could think of a lot of men I would row with If I had the opportunity, like Orlando from Go Commando, guess it really comes down to the person and not the gender so much, but still really looking forward to rowing a non mixed gender crew.

Coastal rowing does offer a lot of different challenges than crossings, more difficulty at times with tides, currents, wind and traffic. I do some local coastal rowing in Southern California where it is warmer and the tides are about a third of what is measured in the region we will be rowing. I am grateful for the opportunity to add this experience to my repertoire of ocean rows.

Questions and Answers by Angela

Questions and Answers by Angela
09/13/08


Rowing Classification question: I thought they would have separated by classes like in basketball?
We do have separation by classes however there are only three classifications for the sport of adaptive rowing. The physical differences for functional ability in the sport within those three are huge.

Adaptive rowing is a relatively new sport at the elite international level so the lines of classification shift to accommodate more people to help the sport grow plus
with only 4 events where do you draw the lines? Currently we have

W1X arms only women's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
M1X arms only men's single scull (no body swing, back, abdominal or leg)
TA2X trunk and arms mixed gender double scull (uses body swing, abdominal and back muscles)
LTA 4+ leg trunk and arms mixed gender, sliding seat, sweep rowing. The + is the coxswain or person in the boat who steers and verbally instructs the four people who are physically rowing the boat. The coxswain does not have a disability.

The 1X and 2X sculls are fixed seat for people who can't use their legs. In sculling each individual rower has both a port and starboard oar.
In 4+sweep rowing each rower has one oar and is either a port or a starboard. It is also referred to as crew.

As you can see there are only 3 classifications and 4 rowing events. We actually need more of both for fair competitions. I speculate at this point that if we had more of both, countries and coaches would just flood the events with more minimal disabled athletes just to win the medals leaving behind those that the sport/event was designed for. Until the lines of classification are etched in stone rather than being drawn in the sand, this is what I see happening.

I understand the need to accommodate to bring more athletes into the sport. So accommodate away with additional events and classifications! Now it is time to move on to the next level. I understand how we got where we are and its relationship to where we need to go in the future. Like most competitive athletes, I would prefer to compete against equals and similar levels of ability and to push myself harder than to have it be the other way around. I want to earn it! I think most athletes would agree. Personally, I want to do well because I have worked and trained hard not because I have a physical advantage in classification. I don't want to race against people who cannot place pressure on the foot plates nor do I want to race against those who can push on foot plates in the fixed seat boat. It is an all out 1000 meter sprint and winning can be determined by as little as a tenth of a second. Classification plays a big part and is sometimes referred to by our athletes as our first competition. There will be a significant difference between no pressure on the footplates, withstanding pressure and static load on footplates and actually pushing on footplates in all of the fixed seat categories. This is more evident in the single boat than the double because the two people in the double have differences. 2 people in a double who can push on the footplates will be faster than a boat where only one can push and one can just place pressure of static load. People in the sport who can place no pressure or bear no static load will be eliminated and have no opportunity to compete at the elite level of this sport. The addition of new straps to try and limit movement will only limit movement and will not inhibit the bodies neuromuscular response to static load.

As a retiring athlete it is no longer an issue that effects me however to continue as a coach, I too will have to seek out minimum disability athletes for elite competitive opportunities in the sport. We will all have to go for the highest level in classification and push to extend the lines of classification if we want to win medals. This is the growth of Adaptive rowing as I have witnessed it and experienced it since our first World Championships in 2002. This is what will be required of me as a coach and an adaptive program director. Maybe its the military training and not leaving anyone behind attitude that makes all this so difficult for me. I want to provide the opportunity to all levels of ability and not be part of the problem or responsible for taking those opportunities away from anyone based on the classification system. It is time to expand and change would probably require rattling some cages or making some waves. Some may not be happy with where they are when the lines are drawn and balance is achieved.

Where would you be if we were to expand events and classifications If you were not retiring? I would have loved to have rowed in a TA 1X against the other women rather than a double. With the rods in my back and doctors orders of no more TA rowing, I could go arms only legitimately but I would love to enter an LTA W1X with my braces on. I already tried to move up to LTA trying out for the 4+ but the rods in my back prevented me from achieving the body angle for sweep rowing. They also would not allow me to wear my orthodics in the boat. Without my braces my feet drop and turn sideways or pray. As soon as static load is applied my knees are out and I am on the sides of my feet which could cause injury if there is enough pressure. It was a good experience as a coach, I learned a great deal and realized that as much as I don't like to admit it, I am too physically limited by my disability to sweep row in a crew boat. In a single, matching doesn't matter, in sculling the torso does not rotate and I may get half slide if I can keep my braces on. I think I can and I prefer to try and move up rather than down in classification. Going against other women arms only rowers with my size, reach and strength would just not feel right to me. No offense meant to any women's single arms only rowers out there.

Are you retiring from the sport completely? it depends. Can I make a difference? or will I just have to go with the flow to stay in the game. I am more of a make waves type person and not much for going with the flow, unless the flow is headed towards a common goal and doesn't challenge me morally, ethically and spiritually. Some may think, we are here and this is it. Don't change a thing. Don,t make waves, be complacent and happy with where you are. I am not so sure I could go with the flow if that is where we are truly at in adaptive rowing. I could only agree that being where we are now and what we have been able to achieve is great ( If we were complacent we wouldn't be here). I also believe we are just getting started and there is a lot more that needs to be done.

My ambition would involve change. Adding more classifications and more events and to define and defend the lines of classification to ensure equal opportunity and fair play. This is not something I can do by myself and requires cooperation and effort from everyone involved in the sport. From the athletes and coaches to the international governing body of our sport. If adaptive rowing is going to be sedentary then I don't see the point in offering a continued commitment to its developement.

I made a commitment in 1998 to help develop the sport, a commitment in 2002 to my national adaptive rowing team and to my rowing partner to see this sport and him through the 2008 Paralympics. Its been a wonderful experience with many ups and downs. Having fulfilled my commitment to the best of my abilities. I am now free to move on. I am now available and can now continue to assist in the advancement of the sport of adaptive rowing at another level having all of the experiences of an elite athlete, an adaptive rowing program founder and director and a level III coach or (jokingly) I could retire completely from the sport of adaptive rowing and take up Frisbee golf.

I just love Q&A got any more for me?
keep the questions coming,

Angela

Rowing Race Results-Day One 9/9/08

Rowing Race Results-Day One
09/09/2008

Well…..Madsen and Brown came in 4th in their heat. Their split time was good at 2:10 but their final time of 4:29 was slower than they had been rowing in Philly. I have not actually seen the race as it was not broadcast by anyone providing coverage to the US. Have I mentioned the I love World Rowing http://www.worldrowing.com/index.php?pageid=17 They were very quick to get the results up and have the race schedule up for tomorrow as well. They were also the only rowing website to give RowofLife coverage. US Rowing only gave coverage of the non US competitors in the Atlantic Rowing Race, go figure.

So, what does all this mean……Angela and Scott (William Scott) are in lane 2 in the first TA2x race tomorrow at 16:20 Beijing Time (1:20am pacific time Wed morn). In their race are Canada, Australia, UK, and Israel. The first 2 boats go to Final A and the 3rd boat goes to Final B and the others go home.

Other team notes……Ron Harvey came in 4th in his race, Laura Schwanger came in 1st in her race and has earned a place in the finals!, and the US LTA Coxed 4 came in 3rd.

Apparently www.universalsports.com has highlights of the games. I am watching the latest, but it is only from the morning and all I have seen so far is swimming, lots of swimming. Maybe later we will get a little rowing.

Debbie

Arrival in Beijing by Angela Madsen

Angela Madsen (USA TA2x) and Ron Harvey (USA AM1x)
Rowing venue in Beijing

The rowing venue is awesome! It felt really good to be on the water for the first time yesterday. The new boat feels good. Focusing on training, racing and keeping it very together with my rowing partner and coach. Staying hydrated and cool. It is hot and humid here much like Philadelphia so I am pretty well acclimated and my time in Philly is paying off. I am not allowing myself to get stressed out or worked up over anything. I am visualizing surfing for mental stress management, in fact I am wearing my Wheels to Water surfing rash guard and board shorts as I sit here returning e-mails, writing and listening to Superchick and Casting Crowns.

It is a much different atmosphere than our World Championships. We are integrated with our regular National Rowing Team at Worlds so there are more rowing events,more boats and many more people. The rowing venue is very quiet by comparison and we do miss our National Rowing Team. Congratulations to all of our Olympians! Go USA! On the other hand, in this experience we are housed with our national Paralympic Team. We all go to our sport specific venues during the day and socialize a bit over meals at the cafeteria and in the Paralympic Village with all the worlds Paralympians. We are meeting some really cool athletes and everyone has interesting stories, non that I can share "blogging restrictions"

With all of the blogging restrictions it is difficult to have anything to write about. Athletes have to take care not to violate the rules so many have decided not to blog at all. I on the other hand will just try and stay within the guidelines so I will apologize in advance for lack of content in pictures and in text. It was stated in our briefing that the rules and restrictions apply until 3 days post closing ceremonies and I am permitted to inform everyone that these rules are in effect.

It is a long bus ride to the venue every day but our practices are in the afternoon so no need to rise early and rush. We went to the shops yesterday and I did most all of my shopping. I always make gift bags for my three granddaughters. Amanda 13, Angel 7 and Cheyenne 5. I like to get my shopping done right away as many others do also but it was not super crowded. It is most likely because everything is efficiently managed here. Nothing feels crowded and everything is relaxed.

As other athletes are arriving the atmosphere is still very relaxed. I can't imagine it staying that way for long as opening ceremonies and the beginning of competition are just around the corner. Time goes by quickly here and today I finally got a wireless Internet signal where yesterday there was none. Excellent example of what can happen when effort is made in spite of previous negative results "never give up!'

Oars up!

Angela

Watching Paralympics on TV by Angela

watching the Paralympics on TV
Current mood: cheerful
Category: Sports

As the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games are only a few days away, more and
more broadcasters are announcing their increased coverage and schedules
for this year's highlight. The Paralympics will be held from 6 to 17
September and are available for viewing all around the world.

"It is a thrill to see the audience that we will be reaching with the
Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games. With over 1,000 hours of coverage, this
is by far the largest broadcast of Paralympic Sport, and I welcome each
and every viewer to take advantage of this opportunity to witness these
exciting Paralympic Games", said Sir Philip Craven, IPC President.

BBC Television Great Britain will have live coverage and highlights
each day on either BBC1 or BBC2. Also included this year will be an
interactive element to their broadcasts. In20more detail, the Athletics,
Swimming, Wheelchair Basketball and Equestrian competition will each
have a camera designated for the sporting event, along with either a
commentary position or a reporter.

Both Chinese broadcasters will include two different channels in their
displaying of the events. CCTV will broadcast ten hours each day
throughout the Paralympics. BTV is planning to cover the Games from
8:00-22:30, 6 to 17 September on their BTV-6 station. This will have
live and replayed events, news and features.

In Canada, CBC Sports will be actively working with their CBC French
and English broadcasts for the Games. The CBC English station will have
two hours in the afternoon on 6, 7, 13 and 14 September. The CBC French
station will show two hours also in the afternoon on 20 and 21
September.

In Brazil, the SPORTV Channel will have each day ten hours of live
competition, and six 30-minutes programmes. In addition to showing
these events and the Opening Ceremony on SPORTV, Brazil will have
coverage in the form or news and sports programmes on its other eight
channels.

Japan's NHK Production will have a daily highlight programme shown, in
addition to a 50-minutes documentary produced that will focus on the
competition side of the Paralympics When the Games have finished, NHK
plans on combining all the acquired material and re-edit it into
another documentary. The 80-minute piece will be titled, 8
0Glory of
Beijing Paralympics 2008".

In Spain, RTVE and the Spanish Paralympic Committee have agreed to
offer over 100 hours of Games coverage through several channels that
are part of the TV Corporation. This will be similar to what was
offered during ATHENS 2004. The coverage this year will include daily
broadcasting of two one-hour programmes on TV2 and Teledeporte, one of
them being the highlights of the day. A ten-minute, daily programme
special will also be part of the schedule on TV2, with additional
specials on TVE, RNE and rtve.es. Teledeporte hopes to have as much
live broadcasting as possible, focusing on Spanish athletes in
Athletics, Swimming and Cycling.

Australia will offer over 100 hours of live and highlights across the
major channels of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC). The
broadcaster plans on showing eight hours of daily live coverage on ABC2
and two, one-hour daily highlight packages on ABC1.

In South Africa, the major broadcasting station SABC will be showing
live coverage of the Games each day, including the Opening Ceremony on
their SABC2 channel. Additionally, the channel will have a delayed run
of the Closing Ceremony.

In Germany, broadcasters will also be extensively showing the Games
throughout the entire event, including Opening and Closing Ceremony.
Prominent channels ARD and ZDF will take over the majority of
broadcasting, with live coverage each day on its analogue
and digital
channels.

Adding on to that, Eurosport will also be including live broadcasts in
their channel's respective programming.

Furthermore, more than 32 European Broadcasting Union (EBU ) members
committed to cover the Beijing 2008 Paralympics from China.

For those fans of the Paralympic Games who do not live within the
territories of the rightsholding broadcasters, there will be coverage
available on www.ParalympicSport.TV, the IPC's internet TV channel.
Daily news and highlight shows will be offered on demand as well as
live coverage wherever possible. More than 150 hours of Paralympic
sports are already available on the channel, 24/7 free of charge, all
over the world. Additionally, daily news will also be shown on the
YouTube channel of ParalympicSport.TV at
www.youtube.com/ParalympicSportTV. Fans of Paralympic Sport can also
join the group "Your Paralympic Moment" and upload video clips of their
special Paralympic Moment. The best clips will be released on
ParalympicSport.TV after the Games.

_____________________________________

The International Paralympic Committee (IPC) is the global governing
body of the Paralympic Movement. The IPC organizes the Summer and
Winter Paralympic Games, and serves as the International Federation for
nine sports, for which it supervises and co-ordinates the World
Championships and other competitions. The IPC is committed to enabling
Paralympic athletes to achieve sporting excellence and to developing
sport opportunities for all persons with a disability from the beginner
to elite level. In addition, the IPC aims to promote the Paralympic
values, which include courage, determination, inspiration and equality.

Founded on 22 September 1989, the IPC is an international non-profit
organization formed and run by 162 National Paralympic Committees
(NPCs) from five regions and four disability specific international
sports federations (IOSDs). The IPC Headquarters and its management
team are located in Bonn, Germany.

For further information, please contact Steffi Klein, IPC Media and
Communications Senior Manager, on e-mail: steffi.klein@paralympic.org
or go to www.paralympic.org and www.ParalympicSport.TV.

Race Results by Angela

AdaptiveRowing] Go Scott & Angela!!
from
Debbie Arenberg
Congratulations to Scott & Angela in their blazing Philadelphia Quaker City masters race this past weekend. Note their actual water finish times!! Yahoo!! Race 37, Mixed D-H 2x F/G Event 18 Final Water Water Place Lane Name Team Time Split Place Time 1 3 Redford Sargent Fairmount RA 4:04.36 1 4:37.26 2 2 Merry Jones Vesper BC B 4:11.90 7.54 2 4:39.3 1 Angela & Scott PRPD 4:16.87 12.51 4 4:48.07 4 4 Patrice Glover Swan Creek RC 4:17.84 13.48 3 4:47.44
In a field of able body rowers we did OK but we made a ton of mistakes and are not all that happy with this but that is why I am here. We have about one month more to train before going to Bejing. I worked yesterday on trying to find a gym and a trainer for us and may have come up with something? 24 hour fitness is one of US Rowings sponsors but they do not have a club within 50 miles of here. My training Stipen has pretty much already been spent on travel expenses and rent so there is really no money left over for anything else. Hmmm? roof over my head or gym & personal training? I am going with the roof and since I have already paid rent and parking upfront there really is no going back to the streets. No refunds! I am hoping to get a break and work a deal at a local fitness center that is located right next to the building where I am staying. I am not sure what anyone elses road to Beijing looks like but I can tell you mine is not paved.
Angela

My journey to Beijing and the Paralympics (by Angela)

I haven't written in a while and my friends have begun to worry about me. I could write an entire chapter on my experiance here so far but I am just going to summarize. I set out for Philladelphia quite a while ago and it has not been going so well. Some parts have gotten better and some things are just plain stressfull. For those who do not know, there is more to my life than being a disabled veteran, than ocean rowing, running an adaptive rowing program or even surfing. I have competed on our national adaptive rowing team since 2002 and my US rowing partner since 2002 is Scott Brown. Scott lives and works in Philadelphia. Since we don't recieve a great deal of money, sponsorship or support as disabled athletes I decided to relocate to Philadelphia for training with Scott. This enables Scott to remain employed while we train. We get on the water before he goes to work and then again after his work. It just seemed to make more sense than both of us leaving our home, our family and our work to train. Scott and his wife Sandy are appropriately appreciative of the sacrafices I have made for our national team and for our sport.I searched on Craigs list, called the Disabled Veterans Organizations, the Veterans Hospaital and even affiliate churches to my church in Long Beach to find an accessible room or apartment to rent here in Philly and had no success. After living in my van for almost 2 weeks I finally found a place to live. After spending 67 days in the small boat at sea with no plumbing, living in the van is a piece of cake. The van, by comparrison is a mansion with its many amenities , I could do it easily, but why?Not much help had been offered from anyone out here. At US Rowing Nationals in New Jersy US Rowing offered to let me shower at the boathouse. That was the only kind offer of assistance I had recieved from the rowing powers that be since embarking on my Journey to the Paralympics. My coach? who knows what is going on there? Sometimes, lately, I just want to get in my van and drive home. I have never quit or given less than 100% at anything in my life so that really is not an option! I made a commitment to my rowing partner and I am going to see it through no matter what! That pretty much summs it up for me.I know... usually I am Ms positive but sometimes it really does suck to be me! I don't know why it has to be this difficult? For the first time since my back surgery I can honestly say that I am feeling a bit depressed. I was thousands of miles from land in either direction on a small boat at sea with one man who did not speak my language and did not experiance, not even once, the kind of lonliness and isolation that this place has to offer. I miss my Partner Debbie, I miss my Family, I miss my Church, I miss my Friends, I miss my Home, I miss my ocean rowing boat (other home for most of the last year) I miss my friends and associates at California Paralysed Veterans Association. I have so many things I need to be doing like working on the book and documentary of the ocean crossing, remodeling my house, working on the rowoflife boat, getting back to the California Adaptive Rowing Program and even watching the grass grow. This is going to be a long three months. I am hoping to make it worthwhile by getting us onto the medal stand in Bejing. On another positive note:Thanks go out to Francis Fulton of Liberty Resources Center in Philadelphia who took me in for a couple of days and then helped me find an accessible place to live while I am here to train and to Michelle McCandless for accepting me as a roomate on short notice. These two people have extended hospitality and kindness to a complete stranger without any hesitation. They are my new heroes!Angela MadsenRowoflife.net

RowofLife Boat in Long Beach Pride Parade and more

RowofLife Boat in Long Beach Pride Parade
Photos Added 6/08 with Angela's Dad, Ronald Madsen, on the RowofLife boat in the Long Beach Pride Parade.

05/12/08 Original post date

The RowofLife Boat will be pulled in the Long Beach Pride Parade by the RowofLife Van on Sunday, 05/18/08. The special guests of RowofLife are Angela’s parents, Ronald and Betty Madsen. They are coming to visit on 05/13/08 and we are going to do lots of things with them, including participating in the Pride Parade with the RowofLife Boat. Boy About Town will be interviewing the Madsen’s in addition to many others from his Ocean Street Reporting location. Check out Boy’s Buzz, the hottest E-magazine around, at http://www.fabulousboyabouttown.com/

Also this week, Angela is being honored by the Long Beach City Council on Tuesday night. Thanks to Boy for bringing this all together.

Angela and I are going to Hawaii for a little R&R later in the month. Hopefully the surf will be good. After that Angela will be heading for Philadelphia to train for the Paralympics with her rowing partner, Scott Brown.

We will be updating Angela’s MySpace with some pictures very soon. Continue to check out http://www.rowoflife.net/

CARP is going strong, but we are always looking for differently abled people to row and anyone to Volunteer. Call Vicki and come on out. http://www.carp.net/

Debbie

ANTIGUA

Antigua

02/01/08—Debbie, RowofLife Land Support

Small little island southeast of Puerto Rico and North of a bunch of other little islands. Atlantic Ocean on the east, Caribbean Sea on the west. Mosquitoes that appear small but can bite like a small yapper dog. I have many mosquito bites on my ankles, but none really above my knees. One can of Off, $22EC

They use the Eastern Caribbean Dollar here. Finally I am traveling somewhere the exchange rate is better than the US Dollar, but things cost 3 times as much, double shot of espresso and a croissant $18. I am going to town today to look for a coffee maker and fan. It is 28C degrees here most of the time. No air in my room, so I am hoping for some circulation.

I rented a car here, thinking that it would be easier for Angela to get around in a car rather than depending on buses or taxis. Wheelchairs seem to cause those drivers a lot of stress. I had planned to get to Antigua before dark, but it was not to be. I was flying the Caribbean airline, Liat, and they were not really in a hurry. The Avis man was in a hurry, so he was gone by the time I got to the airport. I did find someone that would call Avis man who did finally came back to the Airport to present me my car. I ordered a standard size SUV, which in Antigua talk means a very small boxy little car; oh and the steering wheel is on the passenger side of the car. Apparently, they expect that you will drive your car on the wrong side of the road. Ok well, it was only 15 miles to my room, so I can handle that. I got directions and a map from the Avis man; “piece of cake,” I thought. There are not that many roads in Antigua…… well, I discovered there are not many marked roads that are on the map and there are lots of roads that turn to dirt that aren’t on the map. It is hard to turn around when the steering wheel is on the wrong side. Two hours later, I arrived at my room. I went to 3 of the 4 sides of the island; I nearly hit 3 cows, 15 goats, 5 donkeys and at least a hundred dogs. I am sure it is beautiful when it is light outside. I only turned onto the wrong side of the road once, thanks to two way roads. Tips….windshield wipers on the left side of the steering wheel, turn signal on the right side, seat belt right side, brake left side/gas on the right (thank goodness).

Well at least I won’t have to be alone here long. They were due in on the 3^rd, well at least until the whole fleet of Atlantic Rowing Race boats came to a halt, due to weather. Some boats actually lost miles yesterday. So I accepted our 28 miles with a smile and revised the arrival date to 2/7. We are actually doing well. Komale was 101 miles ahead of us on 1/29 and now they are only 23 miles ahead of us. We passed Jaydubyoo (JW) and Ocean Summit yesterday. I spoke to Angela this morning and she was very upbeat. She said the weather is supposed to change to bad, but better than they are currently experiencing. Think good thoughts for some west winds.

I am picking up Franck’s father at the airport tonight. Angela and Franck have to hurry, his father only speaks French. Do you think it will help to speak to him in Spanish?

On the home front, Anita Coyoli-Cullen, is working on a welcoming at LAX when Angela returns on 02/20/08. Anita has is working to get our troops overseas Ukuleles, check out her website at http://ukesfortroops.com/joomla/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1 This is one way to support the troops even if you don’t like the war.

The FABULOUS Boy About Town is working on a fantastic meet and greet at Primes Restaurant in Long Beach with a no host bar. If you plan to stay for dinner, you should call and make reservations; be sure to tell them that you are there with Boy About Town or Angela Madsen. I hear the food is amazing and Boy has already made Angela and I reservations. Go to Boy’s website for more details http://mysite.verizon.net/resyuj29/fabulousboyabouttown/ and don’t forget to subscribe to his newsletter. It is full of Fabulous goings on. It should also be noted that Boy met with the ever helpful Julie at the UPS store on 7^th and Redondo, to make up invitations for the grand event. Contact Julie at http://www.theupsstore.com/locations/locdet.asp?strCenterNum=MBE5658

Well off to the “big” city of St John to find a fan and some power tools. I knew I should have packed my screw gun! Orlando and Ben of Go Commando were kind enough to help me with instructions on how to build a cradle for the boat to be shipped.

Deb

debmole@sbcglobal.net

PS: I am not answering phone calls in Antigua, nor have I been able to get my messages. It is $2.50 a minute, according to ATT. You can email me or call me on Skype- debmole

The One That Got Thrown Away

The One That Got Thrown Away

2008 01 28-By Debbie, RowofLife Land Support

About a week ago……wow, I have been blog absent, which would have continued except for the fabulous little voice in my head telling me, “you need to blog, Deb!”….. Angela told me a little story she wanted me to include in the blog. Those were more jovial times; 60 miles a day, happy times….the days I feared that RowofLife would make it to Antigua, before Angela’s wheelchair and passport and Franck’s credit card and pictures of his kids, and me. That stuff and I would all be in some random airport (this is a low budget team….we will take 5 layovers, if we can go across the country for $100.) whilst Angela and Franck patiently waited in English Harbour for RowofLife Land Support to arrive. But the winds have changed, the pain and physical problems have increased, and now I will surely beat them to English Harbour, Antigua. But I digress….

A week ago, Angela asked me to tell you their fish story. Our team was rowing their hearts out; trying to get to Antigua for Angela’s granddaughter’s birthday (2/2) or John Nunn’s latest calculation of their arrival time (2/1). Just then a beautiful Marlin leapt from the water onto the deck of the boat. Now Angela and her brother, Cliff, went deep sea fishing twice in November, and nothing nearly that lovely graced their poles, let alone hopped upon the deck. Franck and Angela put the fish into a bucket of water, to keep him alive. It was such a beautiful fish; they decided take this moment as a photo opportunity. Both of them took pictures with the beautiful fish in the bucket. Apparently the dehydrated food isn’t that bad, because they decided that the fish needed to be free; off he must go to be with his friends and family, unlike Angela and Franck.

After saying their goodbyes, they tossed the fish back into the ocean. As he was being thrown back, he looked at them with his big dark eyes, as if to say, I jumped on your boat for a reason. He hit the water and Franck and Angela smiled anticipating their fish’s reunion with his family, feeling all warm and fuzzy inside watching the fish swim away, when all of the sudden a bigger fish came and gobbled their fish right up. And then they knew the reason why he had come to them in the first place……..music fading……“The Circle of Life…..”

Row of Life Passes Ocean Summit

Row of Life Passes Ocean Summit

01/16/2008 6PM GMT-By Debbie, RowofLife Land Support

On 01/14/08 at midnight, RowofLife was 67 miles behind Ocean Summit. Today, 01/16/08, at 6PM GMT RowofLife passed Ocean Summit. In 2.5 days RowofLife rowed 69 miles farther than Ocean Summit. Now their sights are on Mission Atlantic. MA is only 5 miles in front of RowofLife as of 6PM today. After Mission Atlantic the next boat is Komale. They are only 47 miles ahead of RowofLife as of 6PM GMT today. Franck and Angela have been rowing their hearts out and it shows. Clearly they are really in a hurry to get to Antigua to partake of the Dinner and Drinks being provided by Christy CF. Thanks for all your support.

Boy About Town http://mysite.verizon.net/resyuj29/fabulousboyabouttown/ has been working tirelessly on getting press releases out. He has reworked the press release and sent it out to lots of different media outlets. If any of you would like to send out the press release to your local media outlets, email me at debmole@sbcglobal.net and I will forward it to you. I think we need to blitz the media as much as possible. This is a fantastic story and it has gotten no press. Maybe if we all email the press release to everyone (Local news, TV, Radio, print media, Oprah, Ellen, The View, Regis, etc) they could not ignore it. Let’s get Angela and Franck the press they deserve to share their inspirational story with other people. It would be nice for Differently-Abled people to realize they can do anything and for Able folks to realize it too.

Piss On You

Piss on You

01/12/08—By Debbie, RowofLife Land Support

The clouds gathered over the RowofLife boat. Angela excited to get a shower, gathered her soap and shampoo and waited…….but it was not to happen. Barely enough water fell to get her wet. She pointed to the clouds and yelled, “Piss on you!” Franck, thinking Angela was teaching him some English, now points upward when he sees clouds and says, “Piss on you!”

Boy About Town was locked out of his blog for many days. Proving that a Boy without his blog is down, but not out, Boy created a new super fabulous website. http://mysite.verizon.net/resyuj29/fabulousboyabouttown/ Boy has done an amazing amount of footwork. He has generated more interest and gotten more publicity for RowofLife and CARP in a couple of weeks, than there has been in months. Thanks Patric!

I also wanted to send out a giant thanks to Julie at the UPS Store #5658 at 7^th and Redondo in Long Beach, CA. Julie has helped RowofLife and CARP with printing, copying, shipping, banners, and moral support. She has risen to the occasion when our poor planning has created rush jobs for her. We couldn’t have done it without Julie!

Location:

UPS STORE

3350 E 7TH ST LONG BEACH, CA 90804 Phone: (562) 434-8595 Fax: (562) 434-8325 E-mail The UPS Store #5658

http://www.theupsstore.com/locations/locdet.asp?strCenterNum=MBE5658

Fish like Raisins

Fish like Raisins

RowofLife has past the Half Way Point and are on the downhill slide into Antigua. Well, at least they are more than half way to Antigua. On 1/8/08 as of 6PM GMT (10am PST) Angela and Franck had rowed 1279 Nautical Miles of the 2552 nm it will take them to get to Antigua. As timing would have it they called on the Sat Phone just after Woodvale posted the mileage on the website. When I told them they could be heard hooting and howling!

They have been rowing 7 shifts of one hour together every day, adding an extra shift or two when they could. They row an hour, take a 15 minute break, and then row another hour….. They have been putting out the sea anchor and sleeping at night, hope that the sleep will help them heal their bodies and stay healthy for the rest of the row. On 1/7/08 they rowed 5 extra shifts (clearly neither of them are good at moderation) to make some ground on the boats in front of them and to keep the boats behind them at bay. The 12 hours of rowing made a difference as they logged 54 miles on that day. They are both competitive so my plan is to tell them that a boat is catching them or they are catching up to a boat, so they row faster and get to Antigua quicker. Just kidding…..I just report the facts to them.

Franck took a swim on the 6^th to check out the barnacle situation on the bottom of the boat. They were pleasantly surprised that the anti-fouling paint they painted with seems to be working and they had very few hitchhikers.

They saw lots of 30 lb Dorado swimming below the boat. Angela said they did not want to stop rowing to try and catch them. Dehydrated food for 39 days and you don’t want to stop and catch a 30 lb Dorado, HUM. I will warn you that Angela does fish, so this may just be a fish tale to make her brother, Cliff, jealous. Angela says that she did learn something about fish; they like raisins but not so much the nuts of the stale trail mix.

On the home front, Boy About Town, http://fab-boy-about-town.blogspot.com/ , has been working diligently to get Angela and CARP (California Adaptive Rowing Program, www.carplb.net ) some publicity. He has arranged to have a link to CARP put on Long Beach Online (http://www.locallongbeachonline.com/ ) and Local Huntington Beach (http://www.thelocalhb.com/ ) They are also running this blog on the “Local Blogs” sections. Both are excellent websites for locals and visitors alike. They give restaurant suggestions, local events and hotels. Take a look and see all these towns have to offer. Boy About Town also got the Center in Long Beach to feature Angela’s crossing in the next newsletter. Boy’s blog is side splitting funny. You should take a gander, he is really a talent. Follow him now and you can say sometime in the future, I knew him when…….. This Boy is going places.

Karin Falcone of Able News (http://ablenews.com/ ) also published an article on RowofLife. Thanks Karin! Also, World Rowing wrote an article about Angela and Franck in their news section. I cannot find the name of the author, or the email that she sent me, so I apologize for that. If she emails me again I will credit her in a future blog. (http://www.worldrowing.com/display/modules/news/dspNews.php?newid=324299 )

Thanks for reading, Debbie debmole@sbcglobal.net

RowofLife Surfing the Mid-Atlantic

RowofLife Surfing the Mid-Atlantic—01/01/08

RowofLife has hit the 1000 mile mark on Day 31 of the Atlantic Rowing Race. That just leaves about 1552 to go; No Problem! They are really turning it on now. They have increased their load to move along faster. They can’t make a full side because they lack legs. Franck has an infected stump and is not able to wear his prosthesis. Angela’s back is not exactly happy, but when is it ever. Atlantic Jack said in their blog “The next boat to catch is Angela & Frank(sic) in "Row of Life", this will be a tough one as although they only have one fully functional leg between the 2 of them, they are complete rowing animals.” Atlantic Jack is moving at an unbelievable pace. I just wish we could figure out what is coming out of their water maker, so we could have some too. Maybe if they catch us, they will share the secret to their speed.

Surfing is Angela’s first love. On New Year’s Day she is usually out surfing in Huntington Beach with all her surfing buddies. She would like to thank all her surfing buddies, the Huntington Beach Long Board Crew, and the Surf Museum in Huntington Beach, for the support they have given her. Well what would New Years be without surfing? Well apparently the powers that be also thought Angela should surf today. The wind was blowing the wrong way today. The water was choppy and not good for rowing. Then it happened….the wind created big waves, excellent for Ocean Rowing Boat Surfing. Angela and Franck guided themselves with their oars and were able to catch a dozen or so good waves. They did not get long rides, but it was fun. Franck caught on to the English surf logo. Soon after the first wave, he kept asking if the next wave was a good one for surfing. We are going to work on him saying, “Dude.” Both Angela and Franck seemed exhilarated by their morning session of surfing the 2/3 meter waves. So, while the rowing completely sucked today….the surfing was EXCELLENT.

The weather has been very rough and the winds not good for rowing. They are hoping for the winds to start blowing back in the westerly direction so they can take advantage of the winds and the equatorial currents. It has been tough to make progress and Angela and Franck have been rowing together many hours a day. It has taken a physical toll, but their spirits remain high. I just found out at the beginning of the race Angela fell off her seat and bruised her back very badly on Franck’s foot stretchers. She was unable to do anything but crawl out onto the deck. She was not able to row. That was one of the reasons for their slow start. Also Franck was very sea sick at first and not able to row. So compared to the start, they are doing well now, but it is still not a picnic. They are trying to make sure they take the time to get rest so they can heal and stay healthy. It is a long race and they are ready for the long haul.

Angela is the Founder and Director of the California Adaptive Rowing Program in Long Beach, CA www.carplb.net . It is a free program where differently-abled people learn row with the help of dedicated volunteers. It is part Long Beach Rowing Association and they row out of the Pete Archer Rowing Center. Boy About Town, Patric, of Long Beach found out about the program and was very excited. He took the time to come down with his partner and 2 friends to check out the program on Saturday. He gave CARP a Super-Fabulous rating. Boy is amazing and so very funny! He wrote about it in his blog, which Angela found very entertaining when I read it to her. His blog is at http://fab-boy-about-town.blogspot.com/ and his visit to the rowing program is called “Boy gets a new outlook” http://fab-boy-about-town.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-08%3A00&max-results=21 . Vicki, Tom and the volunteers are doing a wonderful job with CARP. It is running as smoothly as ever and Angela is so proud. Angela and Franck called the dock while Boy was there and was able to talk to him as well as Vicki, Tom, Kurt, Ron, Nahu, Loren, Wanda, Christian and some others. The spirit of the CARPies filled Angela and Franck with new energy! They rowed 52 miles that day. Boy About Town is apparently well read and I have received many messages from people who found out about Row of Life from Boy’s Blog. Angela is looking forward to meeting Boy in person and doing some events together, when she returns. Boy also writes a weekly newsletter.

Keep the messages of support coming. I read them to Angela and Franck when I talk to them on the Satellite phone, and they need them now more than ever.

Thanks,

Debmole

http://s168.photobucket.com/albums/u196/debmole/Mid%20Atlantic%20and%20Boy%20Photos/?action=view&current=43e433c0.pbw

Turtles, Sharks and Whales, OH MY!!

As of 12/28/07 4am PST, Franck and Angela are at 18.898N-31.520W, which for those of you who are not familiar with Longitude and Latitude, they are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean. LOL Actually they are 822 miles from La Gomera and 1730 miles from Antigua. They have been gone nearly 4 weeks. They have consistently averaged 50 miles a day for the last 8 days. They are in 8th place in the pairs class.

I put pictures of the race start on Angela's MySpace in an album and a slide show. There are 4 pictures of them on the water on www.atlanticrowingrace2007.co.uk Two of those pictures were taken by Coral Millepora. According to the Atlantic Rowing Race 2007 Website: "On 11^th December 2007, at 10:05, Row of life were met by the Coral Millepora, a Liquefied Gas Carrier (LPG) from the Netherlands. The vessel has a net tonnage of 1,216 and a gross tonnage of 4,054." As you can see by the pictures, the Coral Millepora got too close to their boat for my comfort. The other two were taken by the support yacht a couple of days before Christmas.

The wind and seas have been rough. Angela described is as feeling like constantly riding a bucking bronco. It occured to me days later how difficult it would be to stay on a bucking bronco when you can't feel your legs or feet. Franck described rowing south as a "shit row"(Didn't need to translate that). But they did move south to catch the current to the west. In the last couple of days they have been rowing together, because the seas have been too rough for one person rowing alone to make progress. Today, there is an area of Cyclonic winds to their north, so rowing will be tough the next couple of days, unless of course they can catch a ride on an awesome westward wind.

Angela and Franck have seen amazing marine life. There was the time Angela was rowing and noticed something off the back of the boat. She thought she had left the Para anchor out (a parachute type device that keeps the boat from drifting aimlessly), until she saw the fin. It turned out she had secured the para anchor, and was actually being stalked by a 12 foot shark.

They also had an encounter with a sea turtle. He swam to the side of the boat and looked to say something to Franck. Franck spoke back and the sea turtle had an odd look on his face. Angela determined that the sea turtle did not understand French any better than she does.

They have seen schools of dolphin and been hit by flying fish. Angela says that flying fish cannot be used as a meal because they turn to mush as soon as the hit. The pieces have to be scraped up.

Many of the rowers have been rowing naked. Angela did try this one night, but it was a choice not a necessity. The JL Rowing clothes that Angela had made are working perfectly. No chaffing! They made clean water and wash their clothes. Angela has a tip for clothes drying....put the clothes through the unused oars for drying. Franck washed his clothes and hung them over the oars. DOH! Now there are some nicely outfitted marine animals wearing the striking navy, powder blue and purple Row of Life Gear.

Angela and Franck had a wonderful Christmas. Angela gave Franck the presents that his family had sent with her in September, and he was touched. Angela talked to her daughter, Jenn and grandkids, Amanda, Angel and Chyenne, as well as her Dad and mom, Ronald and Betty Madsen. They ate their dehydrated food and Franck drank a beer (I don't understand why the boat is so heavy). Angela decorated the boat with solar Christmas lights.

Keep sending messages of support on www.atlanticrowingrace2007.co.uk I read them to Franck and Angela when I get the chance to talk to them. The support has been an inspiration to them both so keep those messages coming.

This is really an amazing journey. Two differently- abled(Angela is not fond of the term, disabled) people, from two different countries, two different languages, two different ages, can come together and get the job done. They are doing the United Nations Flag that they are flying, PROUD

Well, that is all I have for now. I will try to do this more often, now that I am home and back on a regular schedule. Angela has pictures and movies, but we have no way to send them to me from the boat. So we will have to rely on Woodvale's support yacht pics for on the water shots (hopefully there will be no more near misses that result in anything more than pictures.)

Now, take 3 minutes of your day to check out the RowofLife green dot and send a message of support. Thanks!

Debmole