INTERVIEW: SUP CHALLENGE !!!

After regaining a new lease of life thanks to the practice of SUP following serious health problems, Eric Rose, a retired soldier, took on the challenge of going down the Meuse for 135 km in SUP for the benefit of handisports. Meet a passionate person who goes to the end of things!

Hello Eric, firstly, how did you start SUP?

I started SUP following an Achilles tendon operation. Being very athletic, I needed to practice a sporting activity intensive enough to supplement my thirst for effort but not heavy on my Achilles tendon. After a second much more substantial operation on the Achilles tendon and three months of total immobilization of the foot I had to realize that long trail runs, running and mountain biking are a thing of the past and that I had to go to a sport that wouldn’t traumatise this tendon.

What were the main attractions of SUP for you?

The ease of getting started and the possibility of very quickly reaching a level that allows you to exercise as much as a jogging, mountain biking or other endurance sport. Another aspect that I really appreciate is the friendliness and curiosity that this sport arouses. People come naturally and in a friendly way to you to ask questions and get information. When I practice there is always someone there to say hello, to wave at me, to give me a smile. I often answer with pleasure the questions of the curious. I also help beginners, friendships have been defined and we regularly organize group outings.

How did you get the idea to take on this challenge?

I was retired by age limit in October 2020 after nearly 40 years of service in the Belgian Air Force. My first idea to occupy myself was to create a stand up paddle club with equipment location and lessons but the Covid-19 crisis went through there and destroyed my projects. So I challenged myself to descend the Belgian Meuse in its entirety to see where I was physically and if I was still capable of making long efforts. After many health problems and a cancer operation in November 2019 which went badly and sepsis, I believed that the sport was over for me. Then the idea came to me to use this challenge to help those who need it by raising funds. In relation to my health problems and my past, road accidents, 3 back operations, I decided to donate the donations collected to the Cap2Sports association. This association depends on the Esneux rehabilitation center where accident victims, victims of stroke or other serious illnesses or of birth try to find a normal life and recover the use of traumatized limbs. Cap2Sports allows people with reduced mobility to practice all kinds of sports, indoors and outdoors with qualified personnel and in complete safety. These people were less fortunate than me and I find it normal to help them.

How will the challenge unfold?

If the weather is favorable, I will take to the water in Heer, opposite Givet, on May 13th. I will sleep in a tent, I take all my equipment on my board, tent, sleeping equipment, freeze-dried food etc. The first stage will count more or less 40 km. The journey will last 4 days for 135 km. The second stage will take me to Huy at the Royal Yacht Club, the third I will go to Wandre, at the exit of Liège at the Walibu Beach Club. On May 16 I will arrive in Petit-Lanaye at the border crossing. In the event of catastrophic weather, I will postpone my departure for a few days.

How to support your project?

I gather all the information on a facebook page which allows you to follow my project and all its preparation. The Cap2Sports association is non-profit. It only survives thanks to donations and grants. One person is employed full time, the others are volunteers and the sports equipment is bought or rented by the association. Adapted bicycles constituting a big cost in the purchase of equipment. We, the manager and I, planned to buy equipment to practice stand up paddle and I volunteered to teach SUP. First we will rent the boards and see if it pleases, if there is a demand and what it is possible to do with these people.

I already thank my main sponsors “ARHS” and “GMédi” for their support.

Do not stop at the border fence and say to yourself “this is in Belgium, it does not concern me”. Disability can affect anyone and I would like to prove that the community of “waterman” and “waterwoman” are kind and generous people.