St Michael's Rowing Club will introduce more people to rowing with a free "Erg Come & Try" session during Coastival Dún Laoghaire 2026. The event takes place in People's Park on Sunday, 5 July, from 11 am to 1 pm and aims to make rowing more accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
Visitors will be able to try indoor rowing machines, meet club members and coaches, and learn more about opportunities to get involved in the sport.
Olympian and CrewClass founder Niall O'Toole will attend the event, demonstrating rowing technique, offering coaching advice and encouraging participants as they try the ergometers. The session forms part of Coastival's wider programme, organised by DLR Sports Partnership and Dún Laoghaire-Rathdown County Council, which this year places a strong emphasis on inclusive sport for people with disabilities and their families.
St Michael's Rowing Club is encouraging people with disabilities who are able to participate to come along and experience rowing in a welcoming environment.
Club chairperson David Cullen said the event reflected the club's long-term commitment to inclusion.
"We're delighted to be part of Coastival and to support its focus on inclusion," he said. "We want our club to reflect the community around us. This event is an opportunity to introduce more people to rowing, particularly those who may never have considered it before, and it is an important step in our ambition to make the sport more accessible in the years ahead."
Club volunteers and experienced rowers will be on hand throughout the session to introduce the basics of rowing and answer questions about joining the club.
