Blackwall Duling Challenge for Adaptive Rowing

The Gold Cup is pleased to sponsor the Blackwall Duling Challenge at the Jefferson Dad Vail Regatta in 2026. This para event is an “open” event, and winners of the Men’s and Women’s PR 1 Single Scull events automatically qualify to attend the USRowing Para Development Camp and receive a $2,000 scholarship to offset the cost of the camp and race at Canadian Henley.

The Blackwall Duling Challenge was created in 2019 to highlight and promote Adaptive Sculling in the United States, in service of the Gold Cup Foundation’s mission to promote inclusion in the sport and support top para-scullers. The Blackwall Duling Challenge was named to honor Christopher Blackwall and Fred Duling, two accomplished oarsmen who have been tremendously active in supporting and increasing awareness of Adaptive Rowing. 

Christopher Blackwall established the first US rowing club solely for persons with disabilities—Philadelphia Adaptive Rowing, that is part of the Pennsylvania Center for Adapted Sports. Blackwall founded PAR with the help of Dolly Driscoll and Isabel Bohn. He recognized the need and importance of the adaptive rowing category far before it was recognized by others. PAR has been instrumental in the development of adaptive rowing across the U.S. For more than 35 years, the organization has played host to the BAYADA Regatta on the Schuylkill River, becoming one of the largest all-adaptive rowing events in the world.

Fred Duling was a three-time US National Team member and competitive Masters rower. Beyond personal achievement, Duling was a beloved spirit of Boathouse Row, a mentor who cheerfully took on all tasks, from paperwork to weigh-ins. As a coach, he led rowers to national championships. At Malta Boat Club, where he was a member since 1960, he served in nearly every capacity, as vice president and board member. Unfortunately, Fred experienced a significant spinal cord injury in 2010 as he hung the Christmas lights from the Malta boathouse, leaving him paralyzed from the chest down. Two years after the accident, Duling found himself back in a shell – an adaptive double – with his son, Fred Jr., also a national team rower, bowing.