Most of us would choose to hunker down when the winter storms begin and just take it easy. You know the sort of thing: close the doors and windows keeping the draughts away and get out those thick sweaters. Not so for Rev. John Bennett and a loyal group of friends when they met recently at Llanrhian Church Hall for the inaugural meeting of their new Indoor Rowing Club!

John is a man of many talents, a very active man (including watersports - more about this later) and in the last few years he and his team at the Church have turned around the fortunes of Llanrhian & Llanhywel. These rural parishes are midway between St. David’s and Fishguard on the Pembrokeshire coast. He leads an inclusive community which is very supportive and centred around the Church. If you know the area then you’ll be familiar with the rugged coastline, hilly landscape and welcoming people.

So how will Indoor Rowing fit with the existing activities at the Church Hall? John is now working on a yearly plan to integrate Indoor Rowing for all in the parish. His idea is to reach out to more people either through health, sport or education. And for some it could be all three. He’s identified people who’d like to become Instructors who’ll deliver Indoor Rowing to groups in the Church Hall, organise have-a-go taster sessions in schools, connecting with local sports clubs – including nearby Porthgain Rowing Club - and later next year, run team challenge relay races against other Indoor Rowing groups in Wales. There’s also the possibility of exercise referrals from the GP at the local Health Centre and the local Police Community Support Officer is interested in being involved. Besides being a keen paddler in his kayak on rivers and the sea, John Bennett is also a member of Porthgain Rowing Club. Last year when their new Cornish Pilot Gig coastal boat was been named he was asked to bless the craft before it went afloat for the first time. John was offered a chance and try rowing in the gig. Soon he was hooked and he’s already competed in local races around the Welsh coast and at major events in the Scilly Isles.
Full story: http://stdavidsdiocese.org.uk/life/pobl_dewi/currentedition/Gig.html

In the widest sense for leadership in society, is the vision of developing people by nurturing skills and talent for personal growth, building and sustaining excellence and of course, having fun doing things together. So for this rural coastal parish in West Wales John Bennett is enabling all these things and more through the Community Indoor Rowing Club in Llanrhian Church Hall.

For the benefit of all communities, the team at Concept2 will facilitate opportunities for you that’ll align with your objectives, your environment and your resources. We’ll show you this gateway, open it and together explore the first few steps. Now keep it open; after that it’s down to you and there’ll be new people who you’ll involve and take with you on the Indoor Rowing journey. Let’s be clear, there will be many who’ll get excited about these possibilities, exceeding expectations and without doubt it’ll be a life changing experience for all - whatever your age.