A ROWER from Oldham has her sights set on representing Great British Rowing at the Paralympic Games.

Charlotte Coburn, who has lived in the town all her life, is currently training on the British Rowing Paralympic pathway and hopes to represent her country in one of the future Games.

“I would love to make it to the Paralympic Games, but I know that’s quite far away,” said the 26-year-old.

“I would like to this year maybe go to Henley Women’s with the women’s squad at Agecroft.”

Charlotte started rowing just over two years ago after wanting to take on a new challenge.

Discussing why she chose rowing in particular Coburn said: “In the past, I did CrossFit, I even went to the CrossFit Games, and I also did a bit of body building before that which was fun.

“I fancied a challenge of starting a new sport and I really enjoyed going on the rowing machine, so I thought I would message British Rowing and see if they had anything for me.”

She currently trains in Salford Quays at Agecroft Rowing club, where alongside her GB para-program she is part of the women’s squad.

Training 12 times a week, often two sessions a day, being part of a team gives Coburn the motivation needed to get through the sometimes-gruelling training program.

She said: “I sometimes have to train alone, but I am also part of the women’s squad. It’s nice to be part of a team and have others around to motivate me during training.”

Rowing made its Paralympic debut at Beijing in 20008. The GB team has been hugely successful winning 50 per cent of the gold medals awarded in Paralympic rowing since its introduction. British Rowing are always on the lookout for new athletes to join their para-squad and several rowing clubs across the country now offer adaptive rowing.

British rowing are ambassadors that rowing is for everyone, regardless of any disability.

Coburn hopes that her journey in the sport will inspire others with disabilities to give rowing a go.

“I don’t think there are many other rowers, missing a hand or with a limb difference or anything, and I didn’t think I would be able to do it at first.

She added: “So, I hope in some way its inspiring, or at least inspires people to have a go because you never know.”