Jed Altschwager

Started: He took up Para rowing in 2016 and began competing a year later. (paralympic.org.au, 01 Jan 2020) Reason: He was introduced to Para sports by Australian Para athlete Tim Matthews, who was working as talent identification manager for Paralympics Australia. Matthews had seen a video of him using a rowing machine and encouraged him to take up the sport. "Growing up surfing I've always loved the water, so when I came to choosing a Para sport it just felt right." (paralympic.org.au, 01 Jan 2020; 776bc.com, 01 Jan 2020) Awards: He was named Male Para Athlete of the Year for 2023 by the South Australian Sports Institute [SASI]. (weare.sa.gov.au, 12 Dec 2023) He and crewmate Nikki Ayers were named Para Crew of the Year for 2023 by World Rowing. (worldrowing.com, 11 Dec 2023) He and crewmate Nikki Ayers were named Para Crew of the Year at the 2023 Hancock Prospecting Rower of the Year Awards in Australia. He was also named Rower's Rower of the Year and won the Gina Rinehart AO Rowing Leadership Award at the event. (rowingaustralia.com.au, 18 Nov 2023) Additional Info: MIXED DOUBLE SCULL In 2022 he teamed up with Nikki Ayers with a view to competing in the PR3 mixed double sculls at the 2024 Paralympic Games in Paris. "I know me and Nikki are hoping to be the guys who are toeing that line. That is the aim." (paralympic.org, 11 Jan 2024; abc.net.au, 12 Jul 2023; Rowing Australia Facebook page, 12 Jul 2023)