Sudbury's Steve Daniel may not have medaled in Beijing, but has returned from the experience with more drive and determination to make himself a faster arms-only athlete.
"He came back even more excited about racing and rowing and training than when he left," said Daniel's coach Thomas Merritt. "He came back with this renewed focus and drive."
Daniel, who started rowing last summer in a double, broke the Canadian record in the indoor Canadian Rowing Championships this past February. Based on that performance he was invited to the national training camp.
He only started rowing in a single in the spring, and secured a spot on the national team in June to represent Canada in the Paralympics held in Beijing on September 11.
Daniel was a former soldier with the Royal Canadian Regiment and had a free-fall parachute accident while conducting a course three years ago. The veteran was paralyzed instantly.
"To come out of an injury in just three years and make it to the Paralympics is huge," Merritt stated.
Daniel is ranked 11th in the world, and while he was disappointed not to win a medal, he's happy with what he has accomplished in such a short span of time.
"I had to learn how to row first and then I had to learn how to row fast," said Daniel.
Daniel's oars were broken during the flight to Beijing. He had to borrow oars from another team, which they modified, but he had a hard using them when it came to his first heat.
Battling through pouring rain and using unfamiliar oars, Daniel came in last place.
"It was a rough start to my first real international race," he said.
"We'll just make sure we take everything into the equation when we get ready for future competitions abroad."
Another pair of oars were given to him to use for his next two races. They were similar to his own set, but were heavier. He raced very well the next two races, but noted the competition was very fast and his five months of experience didn't compare to the experience of his competitors.
"Steve came out of the Paralympics with everything we had really hoped for," said Merritt. He noted that Daniel now has a better knowledge of training, racing, the tools that he would need to be a faster competitor.
"I honestly believe that given the tools that Steve has at his disposal, his physique, his intelligence, his focus and his approach to the sport that he has the potential to be the fastest arms-only athlete in the planet. As his coach, it's very exciting to know that you're coaching somebody that has that potential."
Daniel, a third year business administration student at Cambrian College, is now taking the time to catch up on his studies, and give his body some time to rest.
He says he hopes to train for the world championships in Poland next August, and compete at other regattas throughout the year.
Both Merritt and Daniel hope to keep building the adaptive rowing program and recruit some more rowers. Merritt said that Daniel has inspired others to participate and is bringing more awareness to the sport and disabled athletes.
