Why rowing lit a spark in Isaac Clarkson

Isaac Clarkson has only been rowing for four years but can already be considered a pioneer in the sport in the West Midlands.

Clarkson discovered an indoor rowing machine in the corner of a studio aged 10 and instantly fell in love with the sport prior to becoming Stratford-upon-Avon Boat Club’s first adaptive junior rower.

“I discovered rowing at a clinic in Wales when I was going there for rehab,” Clarkson recalled.

“A guy I was talking to said he was the best in his county for rowing, so I instantly wanted to beat him and I think that competition sparked my passion for it.

“I had played rugby previously, but rugby is nothing near the level of pain as rowing and I could really notice the difference in terms of strength.

“I felt like I was on top of the world when I was doing it, so it was really exciting.”

Isaac ignited 

Clarkson received his Para classification from British Rowing in 2022 and started competing alongside and winning against adults in various regattas.

The 14-year-old has subsequently competed at the Junior Inter-Regionals and Nationals and says that from the moment he discovered the sport, he knew it would be a passion for life.

“I always believed in myself that I could achieve what I'm doing,” he said.

“I just loved it so much so I thought instantly that I've got to somehow make a career in this and put in the effort in to try to make it work.

“It's completely transformed my rehab. Previously, rehab was a chore, whereas now I actually love going to rowing.

“We have to continuously adapt and change things to make it work, and that is my rehab now but it’s also a passion and hobby too.”

Community feel

Clarkson has limited strength and dexterity in his right hand, so over the past few years the team at Stratford-upon-Avon have worked to adapt his boat set up. He now rows with a custom oar handle and an active hand that straps his hand to the oar.

Rowing is Clarkson’s happy place and he wants to take it as far as he can, hailing the mental health benefits and his expanded social network.  

“Stratford-upon-Avon have really helped me,” he said.

“The community there is so friendly, and it really feels like they're trying to make a difference towards me in my rowing.

“Now there's a few other young rowers too, and just getting to have that community, not just single rowing, has been really nice.

“My dream is to get a medal at the Paralympics – that would be really exciting, but I would like to row until I stop loving it, hopefully until I’m 70 or 80 years old.”

Clarkson had the best seat in the house for the action in Paris this summer, watching ParalympicsGB capture three golds and one silver at the Vaires-sur-Marne Nautical Stadium.

He aspires to reach that level one day and demonstrate to young athletes the value of perseverance.

“Watching the Paralympics in Paris definitely reinstated my goals and where I’m heading towards,” he said.

“That moment of passing the line, you could see on their faces how much it meant to them. I want to be there in that boat when that happens.

“I would love to spread that light in other people's lives and do what rowers of the Paralympics did to me, and really show that there is a path forward.

“I was fortunate enough to happen on para-rowing, but I want it to be more publicized and more in the media and I think I can help with that.”