Bayada Regatta rowing race set to return to Pennsauken

On September 27, the Bayada Regatta, a world-renowned rowing competition for individuals with disabilities, will resume at the Camden County Boathouse in Pennsauken. The event will unfold from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., allowing free spectatorship and parking. Competitors, ranging from novices to Paralympians, utilize adaptive boat equipment to showcase their skills and compete in various categories, including singles, doubles, and sweeps, which consist of four para-rowers and a coxswain.

Bayada CEO Bryony Winn, who joined the organization in March 2026, expressed her excitement about the event, emphasizing its significance in supporting exceptional athletes. The regatta, initially founded in 1981 by Philadelphia Adapted Rowing and sponsored by Bayada Home Healthcare since 1983, draws participants from various backgrounds.

One such participant is Philadelphia Fire Department member Carlos Santory, a combat medic turned firefighter who, after a motorcycle accident in 2025, underwent extensive physical therapy and discovered adaptive sports through his occupational therapist. Santory, who lost his left leg and now competes with a prosthetic, sees rowing as a challenging but rewarding endeavor, fostering a sense of community and personal growth.

The Bayada Regatta continues to be a beacon of inclusivity, bringing together a diverse group of athletes and their supporters.