A ROWING club for disabled people is on the hunt for new members.

The Oxford Adaptive Rowing Club is running a series of taster sessions for people who want to try their hand at the sport.

Three sessions are being held on Friday, May 1, Saturday, May 9, and Sunday, May 17, 2pm to 4pm.

Club captain Rachael Lunney, 26, who has been a member of the club for 10 years, was inspired to take up rowing by her father and older sister Fiona, 28, both keen athletes.

She said: “There are not a lot of sports people with disabilities can do, but rowing is one they can.

2We want to recruit new members and give disabled people the opportunity to row.

“I love rowing because it gives you the chance to get out onto the water and it’s a sport you can do on your own.

“You get fresh air and exercise – it’s exhilarating.”

The Oxford Adaptive Rowing Club was formed 11 years ago by students from Oxford University and Oxford Brookes University.

It operates out of the City of Oxford Rowing Club, at Meadow Lane, which lets its members use the boat club free of charge.

Miss Lunney, from Charlbury, said the club started out with more than a dozen members in the 1999, but needed an injection of new blood after numbers dwindled to eight.

She said: “We have got four special boats in different sizes.

“We welcome anybody with a disability, although we cannot cater for people in wheelchairs because we don't have a lift in the boat club.

“We’re trying to get funding to install one, but it will cost £10,000 and we haven’t started fundraising yet.”

Miss Lunney is also keen for rowers with coaching experience to volunteer to help the club build up its membership.

She said: “If anyone would like to assist people with disabilities to row please contact the club as volunteers are always welcome.”

The taster sessions are being held with the help of the City of Oxford RC, Hinksey Sculling School and the Amateur Rowing Association All rowers must be over 16.

To book a place or volunteer to help the club, email oxfordadaptiverowing@live.co.uk tshepherd@oxfordmail.co.uk