At the end of September 2025, the RAEX partners gathered in Limassol, Cyprus, for one of the most inspiring moments of the project so far — the 4-Day Coastal Rowing Camp and the 2nd Transnational Project Meeting (TPM).
Hosted by the Limassol Nautical Club, the event brought together athletes, coaches, and coordinators from Italy, Cyprus, and Sweden in a setting where sea, sport, and European cooperation met perfectly.
🇪🇺 The European Spirit of the Project
The Limassol meeting was more than a sports event — it was a European dialogue in motion.
While the boats glided on the Mediterranean waters, the project teams worked on aligning objectives, updating the KPI framework, and refining the event calendar through April 2026.
Every discussion, from logistics to leadership, revolved around one shared goal:
to make rowing a tool against exclusion — across gender, ability, and culture.
📋 From Expectations to Experience
Before the camp, all participants completed the RAEX Pre-Camp Expectations & Confidence Survey, which revealed not only technical expectations but also deep insight into the soft skills at the heart of the project.
The survey gathered 22 responses from participants representing the three partner clubs:
- Rowing4fun ASD – Italy
- Limassol Nautical Club – Cyprus
- Malmö Roddklubb – Sweden
💡 Soft Skills: The Human Side of RAEX
Rowing, at its core, is about rhythm, coordination, and trust — all of which depend on human connection.
That’s why RAEX dedicated a key part of its training to developing soft skills: collaboration, communication, empathy, and shared leadership.
The pre-camp survey results showed that participants already bring a high level of emotional intelligence to the project, but also a genuine desire to grow further.
Equal Collaboration
“Knowing how to work as a team, recognizing the equal value and contribution of men and women.”
✅ 68% rated themselves at level 4 or 5 — showing a strong sense of gender equity and teamwork.
Inclusive Communication
“Knowing how to listen and express oneself clearly, respecting differences in language, sensitivity, and approach.”
💬 59% scored high, but many noted that working in multiple languages can still be a challenge — one that the project turns into an opportunity for growth.
Managing Differences
“Turning physical, character, or gender differences into group strengths.”
🌍 72% of respondents felt confident in this skill, underlining the importance of diversity as a value, not a barrier.
Empathy and Mutual Respect
“Understanding others’ points of view and valuing differences without prejudice.”
❤️ 73% rated themselves at level 4 or 5 — empathy emerged as one of the strongest traits among RAEX rowers.
Shared Leadership
“Exercising or accepting leadership fairly, promoting a balanced distribution of roles.”
🚀 63% scored high — proof that leadership in RAEX means sharing responsibility, not competing for it.
These results show that RAEX participants embody the values of inclusion, respect, and equality, confirming that the project’s educational dimension is as vital as its athletic one.
🚣 Four Days of Rowing, Learning, and Exchange
Day 1 – Arrival and Welcome (27 September)
Participants arrived and met for an introduction to coastal rowing, exploring the key differences from flatwater rowing. The day closed with a light training session and a shared dinner.
Day 2 – On the Water and On the Project (28 September)
Morning rowing was followed by a project update meeting, focusing on progress, KPIs, and upcoming dissemination events.
Day 3 – Technique and Safety (29 September)
Hands-on workshops on rowing in waves, capsizing theory, and beach sprints helped participants build technical confidence and safety awareness.
Day 4 – Farewell and Reflections (30 September)
Final drills and team exercises on capsizing recovery closed the camp, reinforcing teamwork and resilience.
RAEX 4 day camp September 2025 …
🎥 Stories from the Sea
To give voice to every experience, participants committed to recording two short video interviews before the end of the camp — one male and one female teammate.
Each interview explores:
- How they lived the camp experience
- What they learned from the training and teamwork
- What RAEX means to them personally
These stories will form part of the RAEX multimedia archive — a living testimony of European collaboration, inclusion, and passion for rowing.
🔭 Looking Ahead
The Limassol TPM and camp marked a turning point for the RAEX project.
In the coming months, the partners will:
- Update the shared event calendar through April 2026
- Collect KPI data from each club’s activities
- Prepare the next surveys
- Plan the Inverno sul Po 2026 regatta
The success of RAEX depends on teamwork, transparency, and data — but above all, on people.
The sea of Limassol reminded everyone that, when you row together, every difference becomes strength, and every effort becomes progress.
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