Special Feature: Cool Rowings-A Place In Romford Where Age Is No Barrier.

‘Rowing Beyond Boundaries‘

Feature Writer Shakira Bruce-Abubacker shares her visit to meet Weininger Irwin-the first ever male Gladiator Champion and his fantastic team at Cool Rowings.

 In a world where age is often seen as a barrier, Weininger Irwin and his inspiring initiative, Cool Rowings are proving that the years behind us are no match for the spirit within us. My journey to uncover the magic of this movement began on a crisp morning at The Liberty Shopping Centre, where I was warmly greeted by Maureen Nay, Weininger’s effervescent “Lead Administrator”. Lost and a little disoriented as I stepped out of my cab, Maureen’s radiant kindness and infectious energy immediately set the tone for what would be a truly remarkable experience.

As she guided me to the vibrant hub where Cool Rowings thrives, Maureen shared the essence of this initiative—a joyous blend of fitness, community, and purpose. Maureen’s passion for Cool Rowings was palpable as she spoke of the transformative impact it has had on countless lives. She introduced me to a diverse group of participants, each with their own unique stories of triumph and perseverance.

It’s a space where laughter echoes as loudly as encouragement, and individuals, regardless of age, come together to defy limits and build each other up. Among the many inspiring stories was that of Ms. Hazel Parkins, an extraordinary 86-year-old who shattered the British Rowing Indoor Championship Record by an incredible four minutes, epitomising the resilience and strength that Cool Rowings embodies.

Through our conversations, I learned about the initiative’s dynamic offerings, from “Chair-Based Exercises” to the lively rhythms of “Reggae Salsa”. But Cool Rowings isn’t just about movement—it’s about meaning. With its heart firmly set on raising awareness for important causes like knife crime and disabilities, and collaborating with charities such as Comic Relief, this initiative proves that physical activity can also spark social change. What I discovered that day wasn’t just a program—it was a powerful reminder of what can be achieved when love, determination, and community come together.

As the morning progressed, I had the privilege of witnessing a training session. The camaraderie among the rowers was evident, their synchronised movements a testament to the unity and support that defined this remarkable community. Conversation mingled with the sound of the rowing machines like cutting through water, creating a symphony of joy and determination.

A joyous blend of fitness, community, and purpose.

Amidst our lighthearted discussion, punctuated by bursts of laughter, bright smiles and the kind of seamless conversation that feels like chatting with old friends, an unexpected challenge arose—three minutes on the rowing machine. At first, I chuckled nervously, but deep down, a wave of apprehension swept over me. My mind raced with doubts: How could I possibly keep up with my older counterparts, whose experience and stamina far outshone my own? And truth be told, as much as I hesitate to admit it, I am not exactly the fittest person around. The thought of faltering in front of such a capable and enthusiastic group only added to my unease.

But a challenge is a challenge – am I right?

And the thought of turning one down, especially in such a spirited atmosphere, felt unthinkable. So, with equal parts determination and trepidation, I agreed. After all, participating alongside the Ageless Teenagers and experiencing this firsthand would give me a deeper insight into the magic of Cool Rowings. It wasn’t just about fitness—it was about camaraderie, breaking barriers, and redefining what is possible at any stage of life.

Just as we were about to head to the rowing machines and embark on the much-anticipated challenge, we were unexpectedly called to the staff room to begin the interview with none other than Weininger Irwin himself. As we slowly approached, the room came into view, and there he was—the first-ever male champion of Gladiators and the visionary founder of Cool Rowings. It was a surreal moment, standing face to face with someone whose achievements were not only extraordinary but whose influence had touched so many lives.

As he busied himself rearranging the staff room to prepare for our conversation, it was impossible not to know of his warm and loving nature.

It wasn’t the grandeur of his titles or his accolades that stood out, but the humility that radiated from him, a man deeply rooted in his purpose and devoted to his community.

The atmosphere in the room was nothing short of heartwarming. The Ageless Teenagers began to gather around him, their eyes sparkling with admiration and affection. Their easy camaraderie with him spoke volumes about the connection they shared. And then, in walked Ms. Hazel Parkins, the extraordinary 86-year-old record-breaking rower, holding a cake and tea in her hands. She joked that she had to bring them because, in true “Weininger fashion”, he’d likely forgotten to eat again. The sight of this thoughtful gesture, paired with the playful laughter that followed, was a testament to the bond they shared—a family built not by blood but by a shared mission and love for life.

In that moment, the true heart of Cool Rowings was laid bare. It wasn’t just about exercise or breaking records; it was about building a community where everyone felt seen, valued, and supported. Watching Weininger interact with his team, surrounded by their laughter and care, made it abundantly clear why Cool Rowings had flourished. His humility, his pure-hearted dedication, and the love he poured into his small but mighty community were the beating heart of this movement, inspiring everyone around him to embrace life with the same joy and passion he embodied.

We quickly settled into the welcoming atmosphere of the staff room, and I found myself easing into the new setting with surprising comfort. There was something about the space—it wasn’t just the room itself, but the warmth of the people around me and the genrosity of Weininger Irwin—that made me feel at home. As I prepared to dive into the interview, I could sense his calm presence and genuine curiosity about the conversation we were about to have.

Just as I was about to dive into my first question, Weininger Irwin beat me to it, steering the conversation in a completely unexpected—and utterly delightful—direction. With a playful glint in his eye, he turned to me and Maureen, gesturing animatedly toward my outfit. 

“You see the matching? I’m looking at the boots and the coat,” he exclaimed, his voice filled with enthusiasm.

I couldn’t help but laugh in response, caught off guard but utterly elated by his energy.

Before I could even catch my breath, he continued with a mock American accent, grinning from ear to ear. “Yeah, so like, checking out the gloves, you know?”

His words, paired with his infectious smile, had us all bursting into laughter. In that lighthearted moment, I got a glimpse into the heart of who Weininger truly is—a person who uses humor and joy to create connections, someone who finds warmth and ease in even the smallest of exchanges.

As the laughter subsided, he leaned back in his chair, still grinning, and said with mock seriousness, “Hey, I’m sorry that that be the intro, you know? Yeah.” There was no mistaking – he had no regrets about this playful start to our interview, and neither did I.

I started with a question I knew was pivotal, one that would give insight into the extraordinary journey of the man sitting across from me. 

I leaned forward slightly and asked:

“You were the first-ever male champion on Gladiators! How did winning that title shape your life and career?”

He thought for a split moment, then responded.

“It is the catalyst for what I’m doing today which is providing the community with activity and also exercise and also maybe rowing, indoor rowing, which they would not have considered. So it’s shaped my life in regards to, it’s giving me direction, purpose and also an incentive to recreate the gladiator days in a very different way.”

He nodded, a quiet sense of contentment settling over him as he finished his answer. It was in that moment I realised how deliberately he approached the question—how he paced himself, taking his time to reflect before speaking. Every word felt intentional, as though he wanted to ensure his thoughts were conveyed with the utmost care and authenticity.

“What inspired your transition from competitive athletics and gladiators to community fitness initiatives like Cool Rowings?” I asked, my curiosity bubbling to the surface.

The idea of Cool Rowings had intrigued me from the moment I’d learned about it, and now, I was on the edge of my seat, waiting to uncover how this incredible concept had been born.

As I awaited his answer, I found myself truly wanting to understand the spark that had ignited this initiative. Was it a moment of inspiration? A personal experience? Or perhaps a response to a need he saw within his community?

“I have always been community focused.” He began. “From the time that I would take out my mother and her friends and basically just do silly little things like going to the Hackney Empire and watching a play or whatever it may be. I was always that way. I think that was just my way and I’ve always had a special place for the senior population in my heart. So, this is just a a natural progression in regards to, what I do now. And it’s not just the community. But it’s from the very young to the seniors of the community.”

“Can you share the story behind creating Weininger Resistance Sliding, now Cool Rowings? What inspired the name and the concept?” I asked, my curiosity deepening as a natural continuation of the previous question.

“That’s a great question,” He replied. “Weininger Resistance Sliding, literally, is named after my first-born son. And I was in my living room and I was watching the TV, probably  BBC, and he pulled himself along the ground. Now I’ve seen him do it a lot of times and i just went “wow”, because what I realisedwas that pulling, sliding movement was actually strengtheningand also conditioning him, in preparation for walking and things like that. So, all I’ve done is basically take a very simplified concept and used it and turned it into an exercise regime. SoI literally can get people sliding, with a single mat and basically change their lives forever.”

To hear how Cool Rowings began and how the concept came to life was both simple and yet utterly inspiring. The beauty lay in its simplicity—a heartfelt idea rooted in community, connection, and purpose. Yet, to see how that idea had grown into something so impactful, so successful, and so full of life was nothing short of amazing.

It wasn’t just a story about rowing machines or exercise; it was a story about building something bigger—a movement that transcended age and ability, bringing people together and giving them a space to thrive.

“Cool Rowings focuses on inclusitivity and diversity. How do you ensure people from all walks of life feel welcomed in the program?” I enquired.

He slightly adjusted in his seat, his eyes momentarily diverting to the floor—a clear indication that he was carefully gathering his thoughts before answering the question. The silence wasn’t awkward; it felt intentional, almost reverent, as if he wanted to ensure that the words he chose would truly reflect the heart of his story.

Then, he spoke, his voice steady yet tinged with a quiet passion :“That’s. That’s because I’ve worked with a lot of what we call “Sen Schools”. I’ve even been the featured activity at our schools that directly deal with sen children. So in regards toinclusive, it is just naturally an inclusive activity because a lot of the activities are done on the ground, so if you have mobility problems, it’s ideal because we’ve got activities and alsoexercises that can utilise your upper body. Or if you have upper body issues, we’ve got activities that can deal also with the lower body and it’s a “1-2” activity sport. That, basically, there are no… I think everybody’s on the same playing field because it’s not like I have to make concessions for those with the disability and those that are able-bodied.

He continued, “There’s no distinction when they, so let’s say we’re doing an activity which just engages the legs, everybody does it the same. There’s no because you’ve got no upper body movement that we change it and it’s the same thing. If they’ve got no mobility on the lower limbs and it’s an upper body, irrespective if that a person is able, well able-bodied, they still have to use the arms exactly in the same way that the person with the disability would. So, what I love about it is that puts everybody on a level playing field and I think from what I’ve seen, when, I put somebody with a disability up against somebody with ability, so to speak, they feel included, inclusive and it just makes it a better activity sport.”

“Adaptive sports play a significant role in Cool Rowings. Can you explain why you emphasise adaptive techniques and how they’ve helped participants?” I asked, genuinely eager to hear his perspective.

“Ah, I love that question,” He smiled that big, radiant smile of his, showcasing all 36 teeth like he so often did. Leaning slightly over the side of his seat again, his posture was relaxed yet engaging.

“And the reason why we’re going to be holding the “CoolRowings – Red Nose regatta” is for that very reason. We found a way to adapt the rowing movement, so that children can participate in this fantastic sport. I really need to stress this has never been done before.  If you think about ‘regatta,’ you think about Cambridge, Oxford, Henley—elitist.” He said, counting on his fingers for emphasis. His tone was animated, his expression a mix of passion and purpose as he leaned forward slightly, fully engaged in the moment. 

“But I’ve managed to bring the regatta into an indoor setting where I can basically include all and that’s I’m talking about irrespective of ability, disability. I can include all, so when you speak about “adaptive”, that is so important, and I think I’m going to jump up and down about this because, what we will do at the regatta ,and I’ll say “indoor regatta”, is that we’re gonnachange the narrative forever, in regards to, primary school children becoming involved in an adaptive activity which will be called “Rowing”. So, me and the team, me, Maureen, we’re just, we’re super excited about delivering this first of its kind initiative at the Copper Box. Not at no leisure centre, at the Copper Box.” He pointed, his finger moving animatedly through the air as though tracing invisible connections, bursting into laughter.

“Yeah. So, its Copper Box arena, so it’s massive.” He ended.

“What are some of the most inspiring transformations you’ve seen among Cool Rowings participants?”  I asked, wondering, my curiosity evident in the tone of my voice.

“End of the story, Miss Hazel. Done. Finish. Sell off!” He waved gun fingers in the air, his energy shifting as he leaned into his traditional Caribbean heritage, slipping into the accent with ease.

“Yeah, you can even put that in – sell off!” He exclaimed, getting hyped in his seat, his whole demeanour lighting up the room. His excitement was contagious, and the way he owned the moment, unapologetically himself, brought a spark of life to the conversation.

Maureen and I couldn’t hold it in—we bursted out laughing in retaliation.

“Yeah, that’s it. And the reason why I say that yeah? Here’s a woman and if you ask her – she will say she’s never seen a rowing machine before. And her dedication, her just diligence,in regards to, also tenacity, in regards to staying on job. That woman? Clockwork. Say look, she already make me- she just come back from holiday, “Weininger you want a cup of tea?” he joked, his voice suddenly shifting into his rich Caribbean accent again. He was imitating Miss Hazel’s light-hearted but kind tone of voice, effortlessly bringing a playful energy to the room.

“She’s unassuming, caring and community all rolled into one.But here’s the thing – that woman walks with a walking stickand trolley, but when she comes in here? She puts that walking stick on the trolley, at the side, jumps on a rowing machine. You can’t stop her, and she’s inspired everyone because even I was like, ‘Yeah, she’s just going to write the competition.’ She wrote gold medal, and remember, smashed a long, standing British record, for 85 to 89. And smashed it – not by some 1-2 minute, over 4 minutes.”

He looked me straight in the eye, his gaze steady and unwavering, to show just how serious this was. The warmth and humour that had coloured much of our conversation faded momentarily, replaced by a quiet intensity that demanded attention.

In that moment, it was clear this wasn’t just a casual topic or a fleeting thought—this was something that mattered deeply to him.

“So that itself is just like, we’re just jumping up and down. We’re proud. To have a British record holder for GB rowing, GBindoor rowing, that comes here and that is so dedicated. So that makes me smile and just and everybody is just infectious because now everybody wants to row.” He simply ended, with a small but genuine, smile.

As I sat there, taking in his words and the quiet pride in his expression, it became impossible not to feel moved. Cool Rowings isn’t just about rowing machines or breaking records—it’s about defying expectations, creating a sense of belonging, and sparking a ripple effect of inspiration. It’s a place where barriers are broken, where an “ageless teenager” can rewrite history, and where every small victory becomes a collective celebration.

The way Weininger spoke about Ms Hazel and her remarkable achievement, you could see that she wasn’t just a record-holder to him. She was a symbol of what Cool Rowings stood for—resilience, community, and the unwavering belief that it’s never too late to leave a lasting legacy.

As we concluded our conversation, I couldn’t help but feel this was just the beginning of an extraordinary story. And there’s so much more to uncover—stories of laughter, determination, and the lives forever changed by this incredible initiative. Stay tuned for part two, where we delve even deeper into the heart of Cool Rowings and the people who make it extraordinary.

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