Swift International are providing boats to four United States para-rowing crews for the 2015 World Rowing Championships ©Swift International

Water sport boat makers Swift International Ltd have become the official supplier to four Para-rowing crews due to compete for the United States at the 2015 International Rowing Federation (FISA) World Rowing Championships, in Aiguebelette, France.

Blake Haxton and Jacqui Kapinowski, who compete in the men’s and women’s arms and shoulders single sculling, are two beneficiaries of the partnership while the legs, trunk and arms mixed double sculls crew of Natalie McCarthy and Jesse Karmazin have also received a boat.

The other rowers to be aided by Swift International are Scott Brown and Betsy Irwin Mitchell, who compete as a trunk and arms mixed double sculls team.

“What is especially pleasing is that it was a not a top down decision,” said Gareth Gruenbaum, director for rowing at Swift International, who also make kayaks and dragon boats.

“Each of these crews has been in touch with us and made their own decisions to use Swift.

“Swift has been building adaptive boats since 2006 and has become the boat of choice for most crews at recent World Championship and Paralympic Games.

“In 2012, in the categories that use the FISA shapes, namely the arms and shoulders singles and the trunk and arms mixed double, of the nine medals awarded, five were won by crews in Swift boats.”

Scott Brown (right) and his new partner Betsy Irwin Mitchell are one of four crews to receive a Swift International boat
Scott Brown (right) and new partner Betsy Irwin Mitchell are one of four crews set to receive a Swift International boat ahead of the World Championships in Aiguebelette, France, which are due to open on August 29 ©Getty Images

In addition to providing boats for the rowers, Swift will also send a support team to the Championships, due to be held from August 29 to September 6, to aid the participants.

The US will be aiming to improve on their tally of one silver medal in the Para-rowing events at the 2014 World Championships and will hope the new boats will give their rowers the edge as they build towards next year’s Paralympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.

“I would like to thank Swift International and Gareth Gruenbaum for their ongoing support of the 2015 United States team,” said Tom Darling, USRowing director of Para-rowing.

“Gareth has been extremely helpful working with Jacqui Kapinoswki and Blake Haxton and supplying both with Swift singles during their training cycle.

“The 2015 US Para-rowers are very excited about going fast in these well-made and designed Swift boats.”



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