18-months project activities
An integrated program of research, training, technological innovation, and community-driven events designed to promote inclusivity, active aging, and the growth of coastal rowing.
Survey
Collect baseline data to understand barriers and motivations for women aged 40+ to participate in coastal rowing.
Workshops
Equip rowing club staff with the skills and knowledge needed to support inclusivity and active aging in coastal rowing.
Web application
Design a user-friendly App featuring: Training tips and video tutorials tailored for women aged 40+.
Local events
Introduce women to the joys of coastal rowing in a welcoming and supportive environment.
Rowing Camp
Culminate the project with a high-impact rowing camp and produce safeguarding guidelines.
women in Europe aged
25-39
engage in regular physical activity
42%
women in Europe aged
40-52
engage in regular physical activity
32%
women in Europe aged
55 and over
engage in regular physical activity
21%
Key challenges for women include lack of time, motivation, and interest, often tied to balancing work, family, and personal commitments
about us
What does it mean empowering women
The Oarsome Women project intends to leverage certain very valuable resources developed in the SheRows project, as athletes involved in the former project can serve as ambassadors for the latter.
The highly successful application that was created for the Sherows project will be used as a template, and a new webpage linking everything together will be made, ensuring sustainability while adding value and legacy to previous and future projects.
Through comprehensive literature reviews, consultations with experts, and analysis of other successful programs, the project identifies key factors influencing women’s participation in rowing and their overall well-being.
By leveraging this knowledge base, the project tailors its approach to address the specific needs, preferences, and barriers faced by women over 40 years of age, ensuring relevance and effectiveness. By promoting rowing as a sustainable and pleasant, non threatening form of exercise for women in this demographic, the initiative seeks to dispel myths and preconceptions around age and physical activity, building on prior studies and experiences from our team of very experienced coaches in this consortium.
Row Safe, Row Well, Row Smart
About
Welcome to your Row Log!
This logbook is more than just a record of your rowing sessions — it is proof of your preparedness to practise the sport of rowing safely and responsibly.
A Moment of Balance and Strength
Stretching with Annalisa
Welcome to Stretching with Annalisa, a dedicated space within the Oarsome Women project where we focus on body awareness, recovery, and well-being. Led by Annalisa, a passionate and experienced trainer, this session is designed to support both physical and mental resilience through guided stretching exercises.
Each session combines mobility, flexibility, and breathwork to help release tension, improve posture, and enhance recovery after intense training. Whether you’re a rowing enthusiast or simply seeking a moment to reconnect with your body, Annalisa’s sessions provide the perfect balance of calm and energy.
📹 The videos are in Italian.
🌍 Turn on subtitles and activate automatic translation in your preferred language to follow along and enjoy the full experience, no matter where you’re from.
Join us to stretch, breathe, and feel stronger—one movement at a time.
Our consortium
Our Erasmus+ project brings together a dynamic consortium of partners from Ireland, Cyprus, Italy, Croatia, and Greece, united by a shared vision: fostering collaboration, innovation, and inclusivity through education and sport.
🇮🇪 Ireland: Known for its rich cultural heritage, our Irish partner brings expertise in community engagement and innovative educational practices.
🇨🇾 Cyprus: A Mediterranean hub of diversity, our Cypriot partner excels in promoting social inclusion and sustainability.
🇮🇹 Italy: With a strong focus on youth development and grassroots initiatives, our Italian partner champions the power of sport to unite people.
🇭🇷 Croatia: Renowned for its stunning coastline, our Croatian partner contributes valuable knowledge in sport tourism and outdoor activities.
🇬🇷 Greece: A cradle of ancient sports, our Greek partner emphasizes health and well-being through active lifestyles.
Together, we aim to create impactful projects that blend the strengths of each partner to inspire change, empower communities, and build bridges across Europe.
Stay tuned as we row forward, shaping a brighter, more inclusive future! 🚀
Limassol Nautical
Club
Cyprus
Coastal Rowing Club
VAL
Croatia
Gráinne Mhaol Rowing
Club
Ireland
Rowing team Adriatico
ASD
Italy
Nautical
Club Thessaloniki
Greece
The OarsomeWomen Team
OW team is the driving force behind this project, bringing together expertise, experience, and passion for rowing and women’s empowerment. The team consists of professionals and experts in sports, health, and social inclusion, all dedicated to promoting rowing as an accessible, sustainable sport that breaks down gender barriers. Through their shared vision, OarsomeWomen exemplifies international collaboration and innovation in the world of rowing.
Rania
Matzoraki-salas
Applicant and coordinator
Rania, with two years in her role, skillfully navigates complex challenges, fosters accountability, and drives results while supporting team growth. As Treasurer of the Cyprus Rowing Federation, she holds degrees in Marketing and Computer Information Systems, is a Concept 2 Master Trainer, and organized the 2023 and 2024 International Beach Sprint Races.
Maria
Hadjielia
Technical team coordinator
Maria, a skilled rowing coach and former national team athlete, brings expertise in technique, endurance, and race strategy. She inspires excellence and camaraderie, leveraging analytics and personalized training. As federal coach for four years, she led athletes to world-level success, notably organizing Cyprus’s 2023-2024 International Beach Sprint Races.
Patra Konstandinou
Communication
team
Patra is an accomplished office manager and digital marketing specialist, known for her efficiency in dynamic environments and data-driven strategies. With seven years of rowing experience, she serves as Secretary General of the Cyprus Rowing Association and was pivotal in organizing the 2023 and 2024 International Beach Sprint Races in Limassol.
Angela
Leonidou
Communication
team
Angela is a freelance photographer and skilled coastal rower, has represented Cyprus at World and European Championships. Since 2023, she’s been part of Cyprus’s national coastal rowing team and contributed as Press and PR Officer for Limassol’s 2023 and 2024 International Beach Sprint Races, enhancing the event’s visibility.
Mary Georgiopoulou
Event manager
Mary has extensive hospitality experience from various hotel roles in Limassol, bringing valuable tourism insight to any team. An avid traveler and passionate rower, she’s competed in World and European Championships and contributed to organizing the 2023 and 2024 International Beach Sprint Races as athletes’ registration officer.
Ioakeim
Avgousti
Technical team
Rowing coach at Limassol Nautical Club, supporting World Rowing Tour. Team leader at children’s summer camp. Full-marathon runner, with interests in extreme sports and charity events. MSc in Management with Distinction from Henley Business School and BA in Economics from the University of Durham.
Jennifer
Cunningham
Project manager
for Corrib Beo, leads environmental outreach to protect Lough Corrib and has 15 years of rowing coaching experience and a Rowing Ireland Level 1 Coaching Certification. She’s captained Gráinne Mhaol RC for over a decade, promoted rowing as adventure and exploration, and completed an EU Erasmus+ project on engaging women in coastal rowing.
Steph
Cloonan
Technical Manager
GDPR and Compliance Officer for a National Disability Service Provider, ensuring athlete safeguarding and transparency. With competitive experience in junior, university, and Masters rowing, she holds a Rowing Ireland Level 1 Coaching Certificate and has 7+ years of coaching experience at the junior level.
Zoe
Mannion
Communication Manager
Actuarial Analyst with 8 years of experience, was awarded scholarships for academic and rowing excellence at NUI Galway. She has won multiple regattas, including five Irish National Championships, and excels in communication, ensuring project alignment across local, national, and European levels.
Aifric
Keogh
OW Ambassador
Aifric is an Irish two-time Olympian who won a bronze medal in the Women’s Coxless Fours at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo. She also represented Ireland at the 2024 Paris Olympics, competing in the Women’s Pair. She and her teammates were named Irish Times/Sport Ireland Sportswomen of the Month in July 2021. Aifric is the president of Gráinne Mhaol Rowing Club and an Oarsome Women ambassador.
Fabio
Patrignani
Technical coach
Communication and marketing expert in territorial marketing within local development policies for Adriatic Sea. Graduated 1st level rowing coach (FIC) and 1st level Canoe Instructor (FICK). Graduated 1st level International Coastal Rowing Coach, World Rowing (FISA). of RCAF
Anna
Perini
Communication
team
Business Analyst and skilled in various rowing themes, like young campus, rowing tours and sport club promoter of the project idea, connecting link between the partners, coordinating the network of italian sportclub and local stakeholder of Lake Iseo, Italy
Roberto Pusinelli
Technical team
Former National Team rower with 20+ years’ experience in evidence-based fitness, weight loss, and anti-aging; 10+ Italian titles and CONI Bronze & Silver medals.
Undertraining® method creator and author of “Get Back in Shape in 12 Weeks”; still competing at elite level (2021: 2nd Italy, 4th Europe).
Igor
Boraska
Technical team
Croatian elite rower and Olympian with a distinguished international career. He competed in three Summer Olympic Games (1996, 2000, 2004) and won a bronze medal in the men’s eight at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Ivan
Granic
Technical coach
Head Coach at VK Val and Senior Lecturer at the University of Split, has extensive experience in rowing, fitness, and education. He has coached at national and international levels, with expertise in kinesiology, anatomy, and physical education spanning decades.
Klara
Boraska
Communication team
Psychologist with a Master’s degree from the Catholic University of Croatia, experienced in expressive art therapy, therapeutic community work, and project coordination. Skilled in communication, organization, and leadership, with international experienc
Iliana
Karipidou
Communication team
Iliana, lawyer, started coastal rowing last year for health and trains daily. She aims to inspire working women of all ages to embrace rowing. Also a passionate sailor, she leverages both disciplines to train year-round, proven through her volunteer work at international events.
Pantelis Papaterpos
Technical team
Pantelis, NCTH Head Coach, has worked with the Greek Rowing Federation. For over 25 years, he’s developed medal-winning athletes (2014–2017) and is known for ethics and inspiration. An Olympian in Seoul 1988, he also earned six Balkan medals and excels at organizing teams and coaches.
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